Shawn Levy's "Real Steel"—starring Hugh Jackman and set in the world of robot boxing—easily topped the domestic box office chart with a $27.3 million opening. Overseas, the DreamWorks movie grossed $22.1 million from 19 markets for a worldwide debut of $49.4 million.
In North America, "Real Steel" succeeded in luring younger moviegoers, who have been noticeably absent from the multiplex in recent months. Thirty-six percent of the audience was under the age of 18, and 51 percent under the age of 25. The film appealed especially to males, who made up 59 percent of those buying tickets. It also played like a family pic, up 27 percent from Friday to Saturday.
"Real Steel," distributed by Disney, drew an A CinemaScore, and an A+ from both males and those under the age of 18. The top scores should help fuel good word-of-mouth.
Costing $110 million to produce after Michigan tax rebates, "Real Steel" will need strong legs and a good showing overseas in order to recoup its production and marketing costs. "Eagle Eye," opening in late September 2008 to roughly $29 million, went on to cume $101.4 million domestically.
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The George Clooney-directed "The Ides of March" placed No. 2 in its debut, grossing $10.4 million. Clooney also stars in the political drama opposite Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Evan Rachel Wood.
"Ides of March," costing a modest $12.5 million to produce, drew a B CinemaScore. Cold Creek Pictures fully financed "Ides of March," with Sony distributing. The film narrowly bested Clooney's "Michael Clayton," which grossed $10.3 million in its first weekend in nationwide release.
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"Ides of March" appealed heavily to adults, with 86 percent of the audience over the age of 25, although Sony noted that 40 percent was under the age of 35. Women made up 58 percent of the audience.
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