‘Finding Dory’ Stays Afloat at No. 1, ‘The Shallows’ Doubles Expectations

Disney-Pixar’s “Finding Dory” easily emerged in the top spot at this weekend’s box office, grossing $73.2 million from 4,305 screens.
The animated feature, which broke records during its debut last weekend, came in ahead of 20th Century Fox’s “Independence Day: Resurgence,” which grossed $41.6 million from 4,066 theaters, well under expectations.
Meanwhile, Columbia Pictures shark thriller “The Shallows” doubled predictions, earning $16.7 million from 2,962 screens.

In its second weekend, New Line Cinema’s “Central Intelligence” came in third place with $18.4 million, beating newcomers “The Shallows” and STX Entertainment’s “Free State of Jones,” which grossed $7.8 million.
The original “Independence Day” was produced for $75 million. The 1996 original went on to become the No. 1 movie of the year and earned $817 million worldwide. It opened to $50 million on the July 4th weekend that year, and the sequel was expected to hit the same number this year.

The big differences this time around: inflation, the fact that “Resurgence” was made for $165 million, not counting marketing costs, and Will Smith did not reprise his role. Though $102 million in overseas grosses — and counting — should keep the sequel from going into the red.

“Resurgence” currently holds a score of 33 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a B CinemaScore — indicating somewhat low audience anticipation among those surveyed.

“Independence Day: Resurgence,” again directed by Roland Emmerich, features much of the original cast, including, Jeff Goldblum, Vivica A. Fox and Bill Pullman, along with new addition Liam Hemsworth.

“The Shallows,” starring Blake Lively as a surfer and would-be shark chum, swam to a solid $1.33 million at the Thursday previews — the first indicator it was pacing strongly. But Friday’s returns of $6.9 million are what got everyone’s attention — as the film was expected to gross between $7 and $9 million for the entire weekend.

The Top Five:

1. “Finding Dory” (Disney) — $73.2 million in Week 2 ($286.6 million total)
2. “Independence Day: Resurgence” (20th Century Fox) — $41.6 million in Week 1 ($41.6 million total)
3. “Central Intelligence” (Warner Bros.) — $18.4 million in Week 2 ($69.3 million total)
4. “The Shallows” (Sony) — $16.7 million in Week 1 ($16.7 million total)
5. “Free State of Jones” (STX Entertainment) — $7.8 million in Week 1 ($7.8 million total)