The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

CHICAGO – Motivated by financial necessity, sequels often mitigate business risk and satisfy studio executives by riding on the coattails of a previous fan base with brand equity. But business aside, to moviegoers the follow-up product so often feels like it “wasn’t nearly as good as the first” or didn’t need to return at all.

CHICAGO – Though the box office race initially appeared to be neck-and-neck, the final tally was no contest. “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” won the weekend with a grand haul of $60.4 million, beating its less family-friendly competitor, the sci-fi thriller, “Prometheus,” which still managed to garner one of the best second place debuts in history.

CHICAGO – Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron dominated at the box office this past weekend, as “Snow White and the Huntsman” made an estimated $56.3 million in three days, more than good enough for first place. The film is already close to crossing the $100 million mark internationally and is a definite hit, notching the second-highest three-day total of the season after “The Avengers.”

CHICAGO – “The Avengers” showed no sign of second weekend fatigue, beating the smash second frames of “The Dark Knight” and “Avatar” by collecting another $103.1 million. Dropping just over 50%, “The Avengers” has made $373 million domestically and over $1 billion internationally. This thing could challenge “Avatar” and “Titanic” for all-time grosses.

CHICAGO – “The Avengers” was expected to dominate at the U.S. box office on its opening weekend but no one predicted that it would break $200 million, shattering the record for the biggest opening weekend of all time. The Summer season got off with a bang as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, and the rest of the gang made cash registers ring around the world.

CHICAGO – Seven desperate souls are taking risks to save some part of their world, which describes both “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and “The Avengers.” Which will win the box office war? The “heroes” of the Marigold residence include Judi Dench, Tom Wilkerson, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and Dev Patel.