Box office: ‘Life of Pets’ busts ‘Ghostbusters’ debut

NEW YORK – The female-powered reboot of “Ghostbusters” debuted well for a live-action comedy but not so great for a big-budget would-be summer blockbuster.

Paul Feig’s new “Ghostbusters” for Sony Pictures opened with $46 million in North American theaters, according to final box office figures Monday.

The sum, while the best performance of a live-action comedy since last year’s “Pitch Perfect 2,” wasn’t enough to topple the animated hit “The Secret Life of Pets.” The Universal release earned $50.8 million in its second weekend, bringing its two-week total past $200 million.

Sony called the debut of “Ghostbusters” a “triumph,” but analysts are skeptical it will turn a profit for the studio, given the hefty $144 million production budget, plus at least $100 million in marketing. The film, starring Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, drew only slightly more women than men to theaters.

The Bryan Cranston crime drama “The Infiltrator” was the only other new wide release. It grossed $5.3 million on 1,601 screens for Broad Green Pictures.

Last week’s take / total take (weeks in release)

1. “The Secret Life Of Pets” $50,838,355 / $203,426,220 (2)

2. “Ghostbusters” $46,018,755 / $46,018,755 (1)

3. “The Legend Of Tarzan” $11,441,337 / $103,371,594 (3)

4. “Finding Dory” $11,281,179 / $445,745,629 (5)

5. “Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates” $7,657,918 / $31,481,634 (2)

6. “The Purge: Election Year” $6,185,695 / $71,107,355 (3)

7. “Central Intelligence” $5,372,013 / $117,580,316 (5)

8. “The Infiltrator” $5,303,775 / $6,766,623 (1)

9. “The BFG” $3,789,434 / $47,379,045 (3)

10. “Independence Day: Resurgence” $3,521,282 / $98,587,725 (4)