I’m as surprised as I’m not surprised to learn Magic Mike XXL bested Terminator Genisys on opening day. The Channing Tatum-led stripper sequel brought in a reported $9.3 million on Wednesday, which includes $2.4 million from Tuesday night screenings. To go along with that, the film scored an “A” CinemaScore, which means big bucks coming soon considering the first film scored only a “B” CinemaScore during its impressive $39 million opening back in 2012. So, I guess this sort of confirms my review when I said this movie is the movie most audience members thought the first one would be, which is to say a lot more bumpin’ and grindin’ and a lot less thong sewing.
As for Terminator Genisys, it wasn’t far behind at $8.9 million including the $2.3 million it brought in on Tuesday night. Genisys received a “B+” CinemaScore from opening day audience members, which is the same grade Terminator Salvation received back in 2009 before it delivered a meager $42.5 million opening on a $200 million budget.
Paramount managed to keep the Genisys budget down to $155 million, which means if this sequel hits a similar $371 million worldwide total we just might see more of Terminator movies, but if the returns are that low it might be time to just restart the whole thing with Dwayne Johnson in about five years or whoever else is the big name in muscle-bound action stars at that time.
I’ll be back on Sunday with a weekend wrap up, but for now be sure to right here.
