Erotic romance Fifty Shades of Grey retained the top spot in North America at the weekend despite the film’s US haul falling by an enormous 73% in its second week of release.
Sam Taylor-Johnson’s film’s $23.2m (£15.1m) take was a far cry from the barnstorming $90.7m with which the movie debuted over the four-day President’s Day weekend, though the critically reviled adaptation of EL James’ bestselling literary knee-trembler did pass the $400m mark at the global box office. It remains No 1 in 50 territories around the world and is well on the way to a final haul of at least $500m worldwide.
Second place at the North American box office went to Matthew Vaughn spy caper Kingsman: The Secret Service, with another $17.5m in the film’s second week for an impressive early total of $67.1m. Third spot went to animated adventure The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, with $15.5m in its third week of release for a total of $125.1m.
The highest-placed new film was family-friendly true-life sports drama McFarland, USA, starring Kevin Costner as the coach of a largely Mexican-American high school team of cross-country runners who find unprecedented success. Niki Caro’s film took $11.3m on its debut in fourth place.
The top five was rounded out by another new film, the teen-oriented high school drama The DUFF, with 26-year-old Mae Whitman as a senior student who discovers she is the Designated Ugly Fat Friend of two more popular girls.
Elsewhere there was disappointment for sci-fi comedy sequel Hot Tub Time Machine 2, which opened in seventh with just $5.8m, producers blaming the cold weather in North America. Two films that were up for Oscars on 22 February, American Sniper and The Imitation Game, sit in sixth and ninth spot respectively with takes of $319.6m and $83.9m.
North American box office, 20-22 February
1. Fifty Shades of Grey: $23.2m, $130
2. Kingsman: The Secret Service: $17.5m, $67.1m
3. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water $15.5m, $125.1m
4. McFarland, USA: $11.3m – new
5. The DUFF: $11m – new
6. American Sniper: $9.6m, $319.6m
7. Hot Tub Time Machine 2: $5.8m - new
8. Jupiter Ascending: $3.6m, $39.5m
9. The Imitation Game: $2.5m, $83.9m
10. Paddington: $2.3m, $67.6m
