‘SpongeBob’ Handily Dethrones ‘American Sniper’ for the Top Spot at the Box Office

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water took the box office by storm this weekend, breaking American Sniper’s three-week position at number one. SpongeBob took in $56 million for its first weekend, a large lead on American Sniper’s $24.2 million second place.

As the first animated hit of 2015, SpongeBob has drawn comparisons to The LEGO Movie’s similar success in early 2014. Although it has not proven to be the critical darling that was The LEGO Movie, SpongeBob has earned a fair amount of critical praise. Rotten Tomatoes awarded the film a surprisingly high 75% fresh rating.

The success of the Paramount feature must also be owed in part to the cross generational appeal. Its  translation into CG animation serves as an example of the generational transition that the series has undergone. The longevity of the SpongeBob franchise has grown a fan base of a variety of ages. Forbes reported that 50% of the audience was under 18, showing that the series continues to draw in children 16 years after its premiere as a television series.

Paddington is hanging in there at number five for its fourth weekend. The film had a weekend gross of $5.3 million and has accumulated $57.3 million since its opening. The story of the lovable bear has received spectacular critical feedback with a 98% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A on CinemaScore.

Edited by: Morgan Stradling