Guardians of the Galaxy Shatters August Box Office Record

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy was expected to challenge for the highest opening weekend in August box office history but it blew right past 2007’s Bourne Ultimatum which pulled in $69 million. Guardians finished the weekend with an estimated $94 million. That makes it the third biggest opening of the year behind only Transformers: Age of Extinction ($100 million) and Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($95 million).

The tracking crafted from within the industry of $60-70 million obviously didn’t completely grasp the widespread appeal of Guardians which played well to all ages and demographics, in a summer of moviegoer fatigue with disappointing films (so many of which were sequels) that lacked originality. Fantastic reviews and word of mouth have helped carried it beyond just a big opening day and with strong legs it could soar to become the top grossing movie of the year. Right now that is Winter Soldier at $258 million which barely edged out The Lego Movie. Certainly the $300 million mark isn’t out of the question with Guardians.

It’s funny to go back now and look at initial reaction to Marvel announcing the movie. A lesser-known property, without a big star to carry it, that would feature a talking raccoon and tree. Some thought it could be a bomb – or at least it could never be as successful as the studio’s other films. Now Marvel has another franchise on their hands that some are calling the Star Wars for a new generation. The sequel has a release date set of July 28, 2017.