“The Great Gatsby” was the only major movie squarely targeting women at the box office this weekend, and it connected to the tune of $51 million in its opening. The audience for Baz Luhrmann‘s take on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel was 60 percent female, with about that same percentage over the age of 25.
Also read: 'The Great Gatsby': What That Extra $10M at the Box Office Really Means
“Tyler Perry Presents: Peeples” never gained traction, winding up with less than $5 million on its opening weekend. Since Perry was neither directing nor starring in the meet-the-parents comedy, pre-release expectations were for about half of the $20 million that his films normally take in with their debuts.
The film's weak opening was surprising given its rising stars, Kerry Washington and Craig Robinson but hardly devastating for distributor Lionsgate, since its production budget was just $15 million.
The film to watch next weekend is director J.J. Abrams‘ “Star Trek Into Darkness.” It rolls out in Imax theaters Wednesday, then opens nationally on Thursday. The other studios have steered clear: It’s the week’s only wide release.