Weekend Box Office: 'Split' Stays on Top
by EG
M. Night Shyamalan's psychological horror film Split remained the country's number-one movie for the second weekend in a row. Two of the week's three new wide releases did manage to make their way into the top five, however.
Split took the top spot again this week by earning $26 million. That's a good hold from the $40 million the movie earned in its opening weekend last week. The film is the first unqualified critical and financial success for Shyamalan in the 21st century.
Second place for the week went to A Dog's Purpose. The feel-good canine movie was at one time thought to have a shot at winning the week, but an animal-rights controversy that surfaced just before the movie's opening probably dampened enthusiasm a bit. The movie took in a solid $18 million, though.
The video-game sequel Resident Evil: The Final Chapter brought in $13.8 million. That's not a huge take, but it was enough for fourth place.
The week's final new wide release, the Matthew McConaughey adventure Gold, performed according to low expectations, taking in $3.5 million and settling into tenth place.
The other two spots in the top five were filled by Hidden Figures and La La Land.