Despite calls for boycott from gay groups angry at Ender’s Game author Orson Scott Card’s virulent homophobia, the adaptation of the novel has landed at the top of the US box office with $28 million. It’s difficult to tell whether the boycott calls had any effect, as while tracking has suggested a $30 million+ opening for the film, many have suggested the publicity around the planned boycott may actually have acted as free advertising for the film.
Last Vegas came in third at the box office on its debut with $16.5 million, which isn’t a triumph but could certainly have been worse. It’s also believed the Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Robert De Niro has had a good audience reaction, suggesting it should hold up well over the coming weeks.
The animated comedy Free Birds took the fourth spot with $16.2 million. Some have suggested that the film could have done a lot better if the marketing has focussed on the story rather than generic hi-jinks, but there’s still time for the film to find more success, as its Thanksgiving theme may help it in the run up to the holiday later this month.
Take a look below for the US box office top 10 for the weekend of November 1st-4th.
| Rank | Title | Weekend Gross (millions) | Total Gross to date (millions) |
| 1 | Ender’s Game | $28.0 | $28.0 |
| 2 | Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa | $20.5 | $62.0 |
| 3 | Last vegas | $16.5 | $16.5 |
| 4 | Free Birds | $16.2 | $16.2 |
| 5 | Gravity | $13.1 | $219.1 |
| 6 | Captain Phillips | $8.5 | $82.5 |
| 7 | 12 Years A Slave | $4.6 | $8.7 |
| 8 | Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 | $4.2 | $106.1 |
| 9 | Carrie | $3.4 | $31.9 |
| 10 | The Counselor | $3.2 | $13.3 |
As many expected, the power of Jackass won out over the weekend, with Bad Grandpa taking the top spot with $32 million. Although that’s around $20 million less than the opening of Jackass 3-D, the film cost little to make and will prove very profitable.
Gravity has continued its impressive box office run, topping the US box office for a third week with $31 million, once more dropping less than 30% from the previous weekend (most films fall around 40-60% each week). It’s made $170 million in North America so far and is expected to gross another $100 million before the end of its run.
MGM Studios is ramping up their casting efforts for the upcoming Carrie remake, bringing on Judy Greer, Ivana Baquero (Pan’s Labyrinth), and Gabriella Wilde (The Three Musketeers) for the Kimberly Peirce directed film, according to