‘Straight Outta Compton’ Breaks Out With Massive $56.1M

“Straight Outta Compton”, the R-rated biopic about the iconic “gangsta rap” group N.W.A., blazed into box-office history with a $56.1 million debut this weekend.

The Universal Picture sold more tickets than the next six movies combined this week, according to studio estimates gathered by Rentrak.

“Straight Outta Compton’s” success overshadowed the weekend’s other new release, Warner Bros’ “The Man From U.N.C.L.E“. It was originally projected to bring in closer to million for its debut.

Next week sees the release of the horror sequel SINISTER 2, the reboot HITMAN: AGENT 47, as well as the action comedy AMERICAN ULTRA, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart.

The weekend’s record-breaking showing makes clear that the film’s themes of racial injustice, free speech and standing up to authority still resonate today, and not just with African-Amerians.

N.W.A. members Dr. Dre and Ice Cube served as producers on the film, which has Ice Cube’s real son O’Shea Jackson Jr. playing his father.

The modish version that ultimately made it to screens was directed by Guy Ritchie and stars Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer. “Older audiences, we all know, don’t rush out opening weekend”.

Time may have hurt “The Man From U.N.C.L.E’s” appeal.

STX Entertainment’s “The Gift” rounded out the top five, earning $6.5 million this weekend and pushing its domestic total to $23.6 million.

Goldstein noted that they weren’t able to attract a significant younger audience, who are likely not familiar with the source material. The European spy caper, based on the ’60s TV show of the same name, took in $13.5 million for third place. She said: ‘Cube’s solo, you want to give him a deal?

“Compton” followed that with a $24.3 million Friday, which is the fourth-highest opening day ever for an August release, according to Deadline.