“Fifty Shades of Grey” didn’t relinquish control of the box office.
Universal’s erotic drama starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan earned $23.2 million at No. 1 in its second weekend at the box office, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Despite the victory, “Fifty Shades of Grey” plummeted a steep 75 percent from its record-breaking $93 million debut last weekend.
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“There was a pent-up demand and excitement for ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ last weekend, so this was its destiny after it broke the box-office record for the biggest opening in February and didn’t have the added bonus of a holiday weekend,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box office firm Rentrak.
The action spy film “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and the family friendly “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” similarly maintained their respective No. 2 and No. 3 spots at the box office in their second weekend.
Fox’s “Kingsman” nabbed $17.5 million, while Paramount’s “SpongeBob” soaked up another $15.5 million.
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A trio of newcomers failed to crack the top three.
Disney’s cross-country racing tale “McFarland, USA” launched at No. 4 with $11.3 million. Lionsgate’s high school comedy “The DUFF” debuted at No. 5 with $11 million. Paramount’s wacky sequel “Hot Tub Time Machine 2” opened at No. 7 with $5.8 million.
A few Oscar contenders received a boost at the box office ahead of Sunday’s 87th annual Academy Awards.
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“American Sniper,” which is up for six awards, including best picture and best actor for Bradley Cooper, racked up another $9.6 million at No. 6 in its ninth weekend of release.
“The Imitation Game,” nominated for eight Academy Awards, including best actor for Benedict Cumberbatch and best supporting actress for Keira Knightley, came in at No. 9 with $2.5 million in its 13th weekend.
“Still Alice,” which features best actress front runner Julianne Moore, earned $2.2 million after expanding to 765 theaters in its sixth weekend.
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Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “Fifty Shades of Grey,” $23.2 million.
2. “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” $17.5 million.
3. “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water,” $15.5 million.
4. “McFarland, USA,” $11.3 million.
5. “The DUFF,” $11 million.
6. “American Sniper,” $9.6 million.
7. “Hot Tub Time Machine 2,” $5.8 million.
8. “Jupiter Ascending,” $3.6 million.
9. “The Imitation Game,” $2.5 million.
10. “Paddington,” $2.3 million.
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