'Ted', 'Magic Mike' prove unexpected smash hits in US
Published Jun 30 2012, 21:28 BST | By Paul Martinovic
Ted and Magic Mike have proved to be big hits in the US, vastly exceeding expectations for opening day box office.The success of the two R-rated comedies has resulted in the $205m (£162m) total US gross being 15% up on the same period last year.
Deadline reports that Ted earned $20.5m in its first day, outgrossing the previous record-holder for an original R-rated comedy, 2009's The Hangover.
Ted is Family Guy and American Dad creator Seth MacFarlane's first Hollywood movie, and features Mark Wahlberg as a man still attached to his childhood teddy bear, voiced by MacFarlane.
Meanwhile, Magic Mike achieved an equally excellent $18m (£14.2m) on Friday, in another hit for Channing Tatum after the success of 21 Jump Street.
The Steven Soderbergh-directed film, starring Tatum and Matthew McConaughey as male strippers, has proved particularly popular with female audiences, with Warner Bros marketing the film with the tagline: "On June 29th tell your boyfriend you're going to the book club."
According to Fandango and MovieTickets, the two biggest online movie ticket sellers in the US, Magic Mike was the number one ticket seller over the weekend, outselling the likes of Bridesmaids and Mamma Mia! at the equivalent point in the sales cycle.
Magic Mike is released in the UK on July 11, and Ted sees its UK release on August 1.
Watch the red band trailer for Ted below:
It just shows how clueless these people are it was clearly obvious these two films would do very well when released
July 2nd 2012 at 8:39pm
"The Steven Soderbergh-directed film, starring Tatum and Matthew McConaughey as male strippers, has proved particularly popular with female audiences"
Um, state the obvious much? Of course it's been popular with female audiences, have you SEEN the trailers! i certainly can't wait to see it ;-)
July 1st 2012 at 12:57pm(+1 like)
Considering TED is by Seth Macfarlane and most teenagers and young adults are huge fans of his animated shows, it's not really a surprise TED is a hit.
July 1st 2012 at 3:15am(+1 like)