Denzel Washington’s ‘The Equalizer’ tops ‘The Boxtrolls’ at box office

Denzel Washington brought his might to the box office yet again with his latest action film, “The Equalizer.�

The R-rated movie, based on the gritty 1985-89 CBS series starring Edward Woodward, topped all other films with an estimated weekend gross of $35 million in the U.S. and Canada.

Produced by Sony Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, the film cost about $55 million to make. The studios had predicted a modest $25 million to $30 million opening.

“From the first minute we saw footage of this film, we knew we had something that was special,� said Rory Bruer, distribution president for Sony Pictures. “It’s been a really great weekend.�

The Washington box-office results shouldn’t come as a surprise: Washington’s last 10 wide releases, including “Flight� (2013) and “Deja Vu� (2006), have each opened to more than $20 million.

“The Equalizer� is the latest collaboration between Washington and director Antoine Fuqua, who worked together on the hit “Training Day.� That 2001 film, which won Washington an Oscar, topped the box office and grossed $22.5 million in its opening weekend. It went on to take in a total of $76.3 million in the U.S. and Canada and more than $100 million internationally.

The gender breakdown for “The Equalizer� was fairly balanced, with male moviegoers making up 52% of the audience. About 65% of audiences were older than 30.

“I think [Washington] is one of those rare actors that really appeals to everyone,� Bruer said. “He and Fuqua also work beautifully off each other and bring stories to a new level.�

The movie received a grade of A-minus from audience polling form Cinemascore and earned generally positive reviews from critics. Bruer said he wouldn’t be surprised if the film got a sequel.

In its sophomore weekend, 20th Century Fox’s “The Maze Runner� took second place, adding $17.5 million to its domestic gross. The film, which finished first in its opening weekend, has earned $58 million to date.

The film follows Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), who is deposited into a community of young men in a postapocalyptic world. After learning that they are trapped in a maze, he joins fellow “runners� to try to escape.

The film, directed by Wes Ball, cost about $34 million to make. It earned generally positive reviews from critics and received a grade of A-minus from audience polling firm CinemaScore. Based on the bestselling young-adult novel by James Dashner, the film has been especially popular among people under the age of 25.

Focus Features’ stop-motion animated film “The Boxtrolls� exceeded studio estimates and came in third with about $17.3 million. It was the strongest debut for Laika, the production company behind Academy Award-nominated films “Coraline� and “Paranorman.�

“Denzel Washington is one of the most bankable guys in the industry but ‘The Equalizer’ is a R-rated title for adults. ... There was plenty of room for us to do very well with a broad, charming family film,� said Jim Orr, president of distribution for Focus. “I think they existed very nicely together.�

The film follows a family of quirky creatures who have raised a human boy named Eggs.

As expected, it resonated most with families with children under 18. Female moviegoers made up about 57% of the audience.

The movie received a grade of B-plus from Cinemascore. As of Sunday, it had notched a 71% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

“We have great hopes for it,� Orr said.

Comedy-drama “This Is Where I Leave You� was fourth, adding $7 million in its second weekend. Its box-office total to date is about $22.6 million.

“Dolphin Tale 2� rounded out the top five, adding $4.8 million, bringing its three-weekend gross to $33.7 million.

The Liam Neeson thriller “A Walk Among the Tombstones� dropped a whopping 67% in its second weekend, falling to No. 7. The film grossed $4.2 million, making its gross to date $20.9 million.

Also remaining in the top 10 were Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy� and Paramount’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.�

At No. 8, “Guardians of the Galaxy� added $3.8 million. With a cumulative domestic gross of $319.2 million, the film has exceeded the total domestic grosses of “Iron Man� ($318.4 million), “Iron Man 2� ($312.4 million), “Captain America: The Winter Soldier� ($259.8 million) and other blockbuster titles.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles� nabbed the 10th spot, adding about $1.5 million to its total gross. The film has collected $187.2 million to date.

In limited release, CBS Films’ “Pride� saw a solid opening of $84,791 in six locations. The gay and labor rights drama received an A grade from Cinemascore. As of Sunday, it had notched a 93% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

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