Can a pill unlock the untapped powers of your noggin? It certainly seem to have worked for Bradley Cooper’s box office appeal as drug drama Limitless launched at number one across the pond this weekend, earning $19 million in the process.
But the Johnny Depp-voiced ‘toon Rango didn’t have to worry too much – it only slipped 32% and added $15.3 million for what is a healthy $92.5 million total so far. Alien invasion war pic **Battle: Los Angeles **also held on well, earning $14.6 million in its second weekend.
That meant new arrivals Paul and The Lincoln Lawyer had to scramble for what was left, with the two films left in a close-run thing that may well change when the final figures are announced tomorrow. But for now, Matthew McConaughey’s turn as a charming huckster legal type drawn into a dangerous case came out ahead with $13.4 million for a fourth place start, while Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s alien road trip comedy arrived in fifth with $13.1 million. That might be lower than Universal’s expectations, but Pegg has publicly tweeted that he’s happy with the result, since it’s still a much bigger opening that either** Hot Fuzz** or Shaun of the Dead enjoyed.
Red Riding Hood slid quickly from third to sixth place, earning $7.2 million, while The Adjustment Bureau fell from fourth to seventh and $5.9 million. Mars Needs Moms sank to eighth with $5.3 million, Beastly was ninth with $3.2 million and Hall Pass was 10th, making $2.6 million.
To figure out the secrets of the charts without needing medication, head on over to Box Office Mojo.