Weekend Report: 'War Room' Takes Over, Audiences Take 'A Walk in the Woods' Instead of Getting 'Refueled'

     On what is the worst weekend of the year, last weekend's runner-up, the faith-based drama 'War Room', took the top spot from 'Straight Outta Compton'.Meanwhile, 'A Walk in the Woods' had a solid debut while franchise revival 'The Transporter Refueled' barely had any gas left in the tank.
     'War Room' slipped 17.6% from its stellar $11.4 million opening, grossing $9.4 million. It has been riding on a wave of solid word-of-mouth (a 90% Flixter score) despite withering reviews (36% on Rotten Tomatoes). The $3-million sleeper hit has so far grossed an excellent $24.7 million and should wind up with at least $40 million by the end of its run.
     Rap drama 'Straight Outta Compton' had to relinquish the weekend crown to 'War Room', but nevertheless performed solidly with a 32.6% decline from last weekend and an $8.9 million fourth-weekend take. The $28-million biopic from Universal has been front-loaded thus far, but with $147.8 million in the bank and the possibility of closing over $160 million, this is undeniably one of the biggest hits of the year.
     'A Walk in the Woods' placed in third this weekend with a better-than-expected $8.4 million three-day start. Since opening on Wednesday, the R-rated $8-million adult-skewing comedy starring  Robert Redford and Nick Nolte has grossed $10.5 million. Even with mixed reviews (47% on RT), word-of-mouth is fairly good ('B' on CinemaScore), and a $30 million total is likely.
     The $150-million Tom Cruise led spy action film known as 'Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation' eased a very light 12.3%, earning $7.2 million. 'Rogue Nation' has so far earned a promising $180.4 million, and $195 million still isn't out of the question.
      'The Transporter Refueled', a $22-million Ed Skrein led action thriller franchise reboot, bombed with just $7.1 million. That is particularly ironic, as one of its predecessors, 'Transporter 2', set the Labor Day weekend record with $20.1 million four-day. It is obvious that the absence of previous Transporter Jason Statham had an impact on the fourth entry, as well as dismal reviews (18% on RT) and depressing word-of-mouth (35% Flixter score). 'Transporter' will likely be front loaded like the rest of the films, and closing in the range of $18-$20 million is most likely.

     Following its solid debut, 'No Escape' posted a great hold, falling just 32.9% from its $8.1 million three-day opening and earning $5.4 million. The $5-million Owen Wilson / Pierce Brosnan led international thriller has so far made an impressive $18.4 million, and $25 million is should be a lock.
     Spy comedy 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' declined 22.3%, taking in $3.45 million. The $75-million disappointment has taken in a soft $39.4 million, and $45 million is still in range.
     Spanish-language animated film 'Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos' debuted to an excellent $3.4 million, taking in a solid $8.6k per-theater average. $10 million should be a lock for the unexpected hit.
     Horror sequel 'Sinister 2' eased a light 27.6% from its second-weekend take, bringing in $3.38 million. The $10-million horror flick has grossed a disappointing $23.7 million, and should continue to underperform with at least $26 million total.

     'Inside Out' rounded out the Top 10 with $3.1 million, up a whopping 133% due to its 2,204 theater expansion this weekend. This is similar to 'Jurassic World''s performance last weekend, which came back in IMAX 3D and made $3.01 million as a result, up 217.7%. With $348.2 million, $355 million is a possibility.
     Marvel's latest, 'Ant-Man', stole away $2.9 million, down a very small 6.1%. The $130-million Paul Rudd led heist comedy has so far assembled a solid $173.2 million, and could pass 'Captain America: The First Avenger''s total ($176.7m) since $180 million is in its sights.
     'Minions' rounded out the Top 12 with $2.7 million, down 5.4% from last weekend. The $74-million 3D animated blockbuster spin-off has been a massive success thus far, with $328.6 million and $335 million still a lock.
     Overall, the Top 12 earned $65.3 million total, which is one of the better Labor Day weekend performances in memory. However, Labor Day happened a week earlier last year. Still, this weekend's performance was up 26.8% from last year, which totaled $51.5 million when 'Guardians of the Galaxy' ruled over the legendary flop 'The Identical'.