NEW YORK – “Ford v Ferrari” left its competition in the rearview mirror, racing to a $31 million debut at the box office in a No. 1 finish that counted as a win for big-budget originality.

James Mangold’s racing drama rode into the weekend with strong reviews and Oscar buzz for its leads, Christian Bale and Matt Damon. And audiences enthusiastically greeted it, giving the $98 million movie an A-plus on CinemaScore. “Ford v Ferrari,” which dramatizes the Ford Motor Co.’s push to unseat the perennial power Ferrari at France’s 24-hour Les Mans race in 1966, has been considered a rare kind of high-priced throwback built more on story, practical effects and star power than intellectual property.

Elizabeth Banks’ “Charlie’s Angels” reboot couldn’t keep up. The movie opened below expectations with $8.6 million domestically and $19.3 million overseas, according to studio estimates Sunday. Though the movie was relatively modestly budgeted at $48 million, it fell well short of the $40.1 million debut of the 2000’s “Charlie’s Angels,” with Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu. (The 2003 sequel opened similarly with $37.6 million.)

Spoilers!  That full-throttle dramatic ending in ‘Ford v Ferrari’ really happened

‘Ford v Ferrari’:  Even with a botched perm, Matt Damon shows true grit as Carroll Shelby

Ken Miles (Christian Bale, left) and Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) are on a mission to help Ford Motor Company win Le Mans in "Ford v Ferrari." (Photo: MERRICK MORTON)

Banks’ version of the 1976-1981 TV series gave the material a feminist spin. But Kristen Stewart was the sole widely known Angel, starring alongside Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska. And “Charlie’s Angels” couldn’t best the Roland Emmerich World War II movie “Midway” in its second week. It slotted in just ahead of “Angels” in second, with $8.8 million.

Rounding out the rest of the top five: John Cena’s family-friendly comedy “Playing With Fire” (No. 4 with $8.55 million) and the George Michael-inspired rom-com “Last Christmas” (No. 5 with $6.7 million).

Lately, at least, Hollywood’s efforts to dust off old properties have been received with a shrug by moviegoers. November has already seen disappointing debuts for the sequel “Terminator: Dark Fate” ($56.9 million in three weeks) and “The Shining” follow-up, “Doctor Sleep” ($25 million in two weeks).

Review:  Kristen Stewart steals the revitalizing, super-fun new ‘Charlie’s Angels’

Wham! Just like that, there’s a surprise for George Michael fans in ‘Last Christmas’ (spoilers)

Source: Read Full Article