The N.W.A biopic "Straight Outta Compton" surpassed expectations by earning over $50 million on it's opening weekend, The Los Angeles Times reports.
The film, which cost Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures $28 million, made $56.1 million and became the top musical biopic and the biggest August opening ever for a R-rated film. In the past, music biopics have proved to struggle in the box office. While films like "Dreamgirls" and "Ray" shattered box office expectations with critical acclaim and Oscar nominations, others like Biggie Smalls biopic "Notorious" didn't. The film made just over $36 million and cost $20 million to create in 2009.
Director F. Gary Gray told reporters last week commercial success wasn't a goal. The importance of the story and the group's historic expressions on free speech were. "We already succeeded with this film," he said. "[Making the film] was hard, it was great, it was challenging and we survived it. I feel so good about the outcome. The box office isn't going to matter 100 years from now."
Fans gave the film a solid A, while critics believed the film starts strong and loses steam over the introduction on Death Row Records and other side stores. The biggest turnout for the film was Atlanta, followed by L.A. Security was also heightened in some major cities, following the recent shooting during the premiere of the Amy Schumer comedy, "Trainwreck" in Lafayette, Louisiana. There haven't been any reported incidents where "Straight Outta Compton" was released.
Other films that rounded out the top five were "Mission: Impossible -- Rogue Nation" at $17 million, Cold War drama "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." with $13.5 million, flopped Marvel flick "Fantastic Four" with $8 million and thriller "The Gift" with $6.5 million.
Source: Los Angeles Times | Photo Credit: Instagram
