'Kung Fu Panda 3' And Super Bowl 50 Tackle Weak Box Office Weekend

Traditionally movie studios don't like releasing big tent poles over Super Bowl weekend because audiences are usually "distracted" by the big game. This year was no different as while three new films opened, none did anything stellar. The big winner was "Kung Fu Panda 3," which repeats as the top performer at the box office. The DreamWorks Animation

produced and Fox

distributed animated film earned another $21 million bringing its total to $69 million. Analysts have noted that by comparison to the second installment, the totals are off by about $30 million, but then again "Kung Fu Panda 2" saw a summer release when kids are out of school. The threequel had to be a self-starter in a unfamiliar timeframe and is actually doing quite well. The film will further benefit from the three day weekend next week, but likely lose the top slot to "Deadpool" or "Zoolander 2." Among the new releases, Universal's

"Hail, Caesar!" led the pack with $11.4 million, which was just a bit above estimates. Produced for just over $20 million, the Coen Brothers directed picture should be able to break even before the end of its run. The same can't be said for Sony's

$28 million budgeted "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies," which made less than half of its estimated $10 million to $12 million projection range. With $5.2 million and a sixth place finish, it has to be disappointing to Sony and its investors which just saw its "The Fifth Wave" falter the other week. The final new release, "The Choice," was really fail-proof as Lions Gate

acquired it for just $10 million. The film, based on a Nicholas Spark romance novel, pulled in around $6 million and should breakeven over the next week. The box office should see a massive influx this week as the tent poles come back with a passion including Fox's "Deadpool," Paramount's

"Zoolander 2," and Warner Bros.

"How To Be Single." Early expectations have it as a race between "Deadpool" and "Zoolander 2," with the edge going back and forth, but "Deadpool" carrying the stronger momentum.