Count them: not one, but two local films are in the top 5, one of them for its second week. Is it because local cinemas are finally giving our movies the attention they deserve?
- 01. DEADPOOL (Incl 3D & Imax)
No surprises here: Deadpool continues its reign at the top of the charts, no doubt adding more worries over at DC that Batman vs. Superman will be seen as too serious. Hell, this movie makes Guardians of the Galaxy seem too serious!
- 02. VIR ALTYD
Not only a record breaker, but local romcom Vir Altyd managed to hold onto its number two debut spot for a second week. Local movies are doing better all of the time, but this is pretty unprecedented.
- 03. HAPPINESS IS A FOUR LETTER WORD
But the local surprises are not done! Debuting in third is another South African movie, which is not a bad start at all. It’s also the first time in my memory that two local films are back-to-back on the charts and in the top 5 at the same time.
- 04. HOW TO BE SINGLE
The comedy about life, love and getting wasted only dropped two spots from last week and is bound to stay for a few more weeks.
- 05. 50 SHADES OF BLACK
Tracy’s review casts the new Wayans Bros effort as some kind of crime against humanity. I already felt that way about the trailer. But there was always a chance it would do well and a 5th spot debut is not bad. Not great, but not bad either.
- 06. RIDE ALONG 2
The movie set the bar for chart dominance early in 2016 continues to attract crowds. It’s a two spot drop for the Ice Cube and Kevin Hart vehicle, but right now it just has to enjoy the ride.
- 07. DADDY’S HOME
The latest FerrelBerg train is not stopping, retaining the same position from last week.
- 08. DIRTY GRANDPA
Robert de Niro and Zack Efron’s raunchy comedy has been getting a lot of critical hatred. But it got a lot more money, so I doubt either actor is crying in their sleep. Plus Zack now has Robert’s number – and just look at what that did for Leonardo di Caprio’s career. (Robert introduced Leo to Martin Scorcese.)
- 09. NORM OF THE NORTH
Last week it was gone, but animated movies have this occasional tendency to come straight back into the charts. This is probably because there is no real other choice to drop the kids off when you’re out to see Deadpool or one of the romcoms, but Norm of the North has returned.
- 10. THE REVENANT (incl Imax)
I had predicted Leo’s Oscar bait would be gone by this week. But The Revenant continues to be a powerful money-maker, taking its sweet time to leave the charts. I don’t believe anyone could have predicted this films incredible success.
- DON’T FORGET YOUR COAT
Three are in, so three must go. The Finest Hours, which joins Point Break and In The Heart Of The Sea as 2016’s big flops, sank after just two weeks on the chart. The 5th Wave also rolled out after a disappointing run and The Choice capped an underwhelming performance.
Last Updated: February 24, 2016
