Box Office update: No nightmares for Platinum Dunes at no.1

Freddy came back in force, the long awaited Platinum Dunes “A Nightmare on Elm Street” remake debuting with a robust $32 million this weekend. The film directed by music video maestro Samuel Bayer, has been getting a hard ride from critics, most agreeing that despite a few good performances and some polished visuals the movie is just another pointless retread. Given the film’s neat $35 million budget, its well on its way to becoming a success. However the last big Platinum Dunes picture was “Friday the 13th”, which enjoyed a terrifically strong opening, before completely crashing on subsequent weekends. With “Iron Man 2” and the summer season hitting next week, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” could endure a similarly painful fallout. Time will tell, but even if next week brings a big drop in profits, $70 million is still a very doable and credible number.

“How to Train your Dragon” was at no.2, the DreamWorks movie having shown great legs over the last five weeks. It now has $192 million in the bank, $10.8 million of which was garnered this weekend past. In third the uninspired “Date Night” took $7.6 million, bringing its domestic haul up to $74 million. The comedy has held better than many might have expected, and will now have its sights set on $100 million within the US market. No. 4 was occupied by last week’s badly reviewed “The Back-up Plan”, the rom-com which proved Jennifer Lopez is no longer a Hollywood star. It took $7.24 million for a $23 million total. The film will do well to cross $30 million; given the intensity of coming weeks. Resting at no.5 was this week’s other big release, the abysmally reviewed “Furry Vengeance”. Most critics seem to agree the only funny thing about this Brendan Fraser flick is its title, and with a lacklustre $6.5 million debut; it appears audiences are agreeing.

6 The Losers (2010/I)
$6M $18.1M

7 Clash of the Titans (2010)
$5.98M $154M

8 Kick-Ass (2010)
$4.45M $42.2M

9 Death at a Funeral (2010)
$4M $34.8M

10 Océans (2009)
$2.62M $13.2M