Hunger Games finale aims for $102m weekend

The final chapter in the “Hunger Games” saga, “Mockingjay — Part 2,” is on track to hit a $102 million bullseye in its opening weekend, based on Friday receipts.

The fourth installment in the Jennifer Lawrence-led series hit a total of $46 million Friday at 4,175 locations, handily topping all other titles at the box office. The Lionsgate release started strong in Thursday night previews, generating $16 million. Earlier estimates had pegged the actioner's three-day total around $110 million. This marks the lowest opening day in the “Hunger Games” franchise.

The three earlier “Hunger Games” pics performed mightily at the box office, combining for $2.3 billion in worldwide grosses. “Mockingjay — Part 1” opened to $121.9 million domestically following the first film's $152.5 million launch and “Catching Fire's” $158.1 million kickoff.

Should it hit its expected mark, “Mockingjay — Part 2” will be the year's fifth-biggest US opening, behind “Jurassic World”, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, “Furious 7” and “Minions”. 

“Spectre”, the 24th James Bond film, had the second-highest Friday total, pulling in $4.3 million on its way to a weekend total around $14 million. The Daniel Craig starrer should cross $150 million in domestic receipts by the end of the weekend..

Sony's “The Night Before”, starring Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie, will finish the weekend in fourth place, behind Fox's “Peanuts”. STX's “The Secret in Their Eyes” pulled in $2.3 million Friday night, a soft opening despite the star power of Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Source: Variety