BOX OFFICE REPORT (MARCH 21-23): 'Divergent' Breaks YA Adaption Curse; 'Muppets' Don't Seem Wanted

1. Divergent (N)
Weekend gross: $56.0 million / Total domestic gross: $56.0 million / 
Percent drop: NA
Can we cut Divergent some slack? Sure, Divergent didn't match the opening weekend box office numbers of franchise like Harry Potter, Twilight and The Hunger Games, but $56 million is still a great opening mark. Divergent avoided becoming yet another failed young adult adaption, escaping the fate that brought down The Mortal Instruments and The Host. Thanks to that $56 million, you're going to see Divergent sequels the next two years, with Insurgent hitting theaters on March 20, 2015.

2. Muppets Most Wanted (N)

Weekend gross: $16.5 million / Total domestic gross: $16.5 million / 
Percent drop: NA
Well, this makes me sad. After The Muppets reinvigorated the franchise with a $29.2 million opening weekend in 2011, Muppets Most Wanted limped to a $16.5 million debut. While this sequel's performance can be attributed to several factors, the most likely culprit for its disappointing opening weekend would obviously be Divergent. Why Disney chose to pit Muppets Most Wanted against a hot property like Divergent escapes me. Muppets Most Wanted has also lacked the positive word of mouth that made The Muppets a success too.

3. Mr. Peabody and Sherman (1st)

Weekend gross: $11.7 million / Total domestic gross: $81.0 million / 
Percent drop: 46.4
Mr. Peabody and Sherman has stuck around for a weeks now but only has $81 million to show for its work. That number pales in comparison to blockbusters like Frozen and The Lego Movie.

4. 300: Rise of an Empire (2nd)

Weekend gross: $8.7 million / Total domestic gross: $93.8 million / 
Percent drop: 54.9
After debuting in the No. 1 spot, 300: Rise of an Empire has seen its box office performance plummet over its second and third weekends. With a $45 million opening weekend, it looked like 300: Rise of an Empire was on its way to box office glory. The movie hasn't even grossed $50 million since that first weekend.

5. God's Not Dead (N)

Weekend gross: $8.6 million / Total domestic gross: $8.6 million / 
Percent drop: NA

Playing on just 780 screens, God's Not Dead grossed an impressive $10,979 per screen. Is this just a blip or could God's Not Dead fulfill a greater potential with a wider release?

Next week's predictions

1. Divergent

2. Noah

3. Sabotage

4. Muppets Most Wanted

5. Mr. Peabody and Sherman

SOURCE: Box Office Mojo