New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

Matthew Huntley: Prior to reading everyone's comments, I was moderately shocked by Neighbors' performance. I mean, I suspected it would open well, perhaps in the $34 million range, but not this well. In hindsight, though, I can see how it makes sense, especially given the context of its release: a) opening on the second weekend of another studio's major tentpole (thereby offering a fresh alternative to a movie that was automatically front-loaded); b) it's the end of the school year for colleges and universities and the premise is about a fraternity, so the two factors are somewhat related; c) it's Mother's Day weekend and the audience, to my surprise, was mostly female. I'm still scratching my head over the last point, but any way you look at it, David is right to call this a bona fide blockbuster and it's a big win for Universal. I have a feeling it will hold up well over the coming weeks, too (even with the behemoth that is Godzilla), because now a lot of people are going to have to see what all the fuss is about (myself included).

Bruce Hall: Consider me officially surprised. I was prepared for Neighbors to do Wedding Crashers kind of business, but not Ted kind of business. The bottom line is, this looks to be the same unexpected hit both of those movies were in their respective contexts. And it's the kind of success that could take Seth Rogen's career to another level. It might even make Zac Efron relevant again, and that's an achievement in and of itself.

Max Braden: High School Musical hit in the beginning of 2006 and Seth Rogen had got both Knocked Up and Superbad in the summer of 2007, so you could say they've had the same career length, but I think Neighbors effectively split them into two generations. That could conceivably have helped secure both the college crowd and...older...crowd, and appealed to guys (Rogen) and gals (Efron). Still, $50 million is above and beyond the $33 million opening of a party movie like Superbad. Efron did have a $42 million opening with High School Musical 3, but given that this is the best live-action opening weekend for either actor, I'm reluctant to name either of them as the main draw. I think it was largely the genre, with the potential of the pranks that pulled in audiences.

Kim Hollis: I expected this film to exceed $40 million and beat The Amazing Spider-Man 2, honestly. I did not expect it to be at nearly $50 million after three days. I’d disagree that its opening had anything to do with competition, though. There was a market for this film, they were hungry, and they were served. Concept comedies such as these are really finding a hold in the market, and it helps when there’s a perception that they’re good, too.

David Mumpower: Speaking to Kim's point, concept comedy is where the money is these days. We have had breakout hits starting with The Hangover and Bridesmaids then continuing with Horrible Bosses and Identity Thief. Neighbors becomes the latest breakout comedy that can be summarized quickly and effectively. And the hook this time is especially good for the reason Max noted above. It is multi-generational. Some fans of the film relate to the "kids these days" side of the story while the power demographic of box office, the under-25 crew, loves the idea of older people being pranked and possibly tortured. It's win/win for everybody. While I am just as surprised by the overall total as everyone else, I absolutely expected Neighbors to be a solid hit. This battle was won at the pitch meeting.

Continued:       1       2       3