It was Super Bowl weekend in the States, which can sometimes mean that moviegoing suffers. A strong line-up can usually act as counter programming for those who don't live and die by the Gridiron, but this year's offerings didn't really land a touchdown with audiences, allowing Kung Fu Panda 3 to retain the top spot with a studio estimated $21 million.
That pushed the animated sequel's US total to more than $69 million, and it's alrady enjoying a big global rollout. The Coen brothers were able to score second place despite Hollywood comedy drama Hail, Caesar! not really performing the way it might given the presence of stars such as George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson and Josh Brolin. Still, it was enough to earn $11.4 million, ahead of movies you might imagine have more mainstream appeal.
The Revenant slipped one place to third and $7.1 million, while Star Wars: The Force Awakens fell to fourth with $6.8 million. But there was reason for the Disney/Lucasfilm teams to celebrate as the space opera's big hitter crossed the $2 billion mark at the worldwide box office. The movie is still in third place behind Avatar and Titanic, but this is a big achievement.
In other franchise news, it appears the bloom is well and truly off the rose of Nicholas Sparks novel adaptations, as The Choice stumbled into fifth place with a relatively meagre $6 million. It's the worst launch for a Sparks-based film yet, and doesn't bode well for the future. Still, it was a healthier opening than poor old Pride And Prejudice And Zombies, which was undead on arrival, groaning and moaning into sixth place with $5.2 million.
Disney's true-life coast guard drama The Finest Hours sank to seventh with $4.7 million, while Ride Along 2 slipped from fifth to eighth and $4.5 million. Rounding out the top 10 we have horror thriller The Boy on $4.09 million at ninth and much-lambasted comedy Dirty Grandpa with $4.05 million in 10th.