'The Mortal Instruments' Is Not the Next 'Twilight'

Welcome to the Box Office Report, where the status quo is upheld by Oprah and bad jokes.

Welcome to the Box Office Report, where the status quo is upheld by Oprah and bad jokes.

1. Lee Daniels's The Butler (Weinstein Company): $17 million in 3,110 theaters [Week 2]

Another week up top for The Butler thanks to white people, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Realistically being the best movie during a slow period at movie houses is what likely helped lead The Butler past the trio of new movies hitting theaters. That, and Oprah.

2. We're the Millers (Warner): $13.5 million in 3,445 theaters [Week 3]

The was so little change at the top of the box office. Jason Sudeikis is happy and healthy and ready to take home a fat pay check after seeing this one pass the $90 million mark.

3. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (Sony): $9.3 million in 3,118 theaters

Coming in $2 million shy of soft expectations on one of the worst weeks of the summer, it's hard to imagine The Mortal Instruments becoming a regular franchise. Producers may green light a sequel if it can find success after a DVD/Blu-Ray/on-demand release, or keep slotting it into this harmless August weekend to clean up whatever dollars are left in the late summer doldrums. The Mortal Instruments could be August's Percy Jackson equivalent, maybe. Otherwise this is a bust.

4. The World's End (Focus): $8.9 million in 1,549 theaters

On the other hand, the new comedy from Nick Frost and Simon Pegg debuted in half as many theaters and made nearly as much money. Not a bad weekend for this duo.

5. Planes (Universal): $13.1 million in 3,378 theaters [Week 3]

Planes is a movie that is in theaters. It is marketed for children, what with it's talking vehicles and flashy colors. They might be trying to score a low-key stoner audience too now that you mention it.