Despite what many had thought would be some strong competition, in the end The Butler topped the US box office for a second week with $17 million, with We’re The Millers coming second once more with $13.5 million.
That was enough to beat newcomer The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones, which despite suggestion early on its marketing that it was on track to be the new Twilight (and resulted in a sequel already being in the works), took $9.3 million over the weekend and $14 million since it opened last Wednesday. As young adult adaptations tend to be quite front loaded and then drop off, it doesn’t suggest this will become a hit in the long run (and certainly doesn’t bode well for the sequel).
The World’s End came in at number 4 on its US debut with $8.94 million. That’s more than either Hot Fuzz or Shaun Of The Dead, although those film got more limited releases. It’s not too bad though, especially as few expected it to do that brilliantly in America.
The horror film You’re Next took seventh spot on the chart with $7 million. It’s one of the weakest starts of the year for a nationwide horror release, but as it cost little to make, it’ll probably still end up turning a profit.
Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine expanded onto more screens in its fifth weekend at cinemas and made its first appearance in the top 10 with $4.3 million. It continues Allen’s run of decent earners after years when his movies barely made a cent.
Take a look below for the US box office top 10 for weekend of August 23rd-25th.
| Rank | Title | Weekend Gross (millions) | Total Gross to date (millions) |
| 1 | Lee Daniels’ The Butler | $17.0 | $52.2 |
| 2 | We’re The Millers | $13.5 | $91.7 |
| 3 | The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones | $9.3 | $14.0 |
| 4 | The World’s End | $8.9 | $8.9 |
| 5 | Planes | $8.5 | $59.5 |
| 6 | Elysium | $7.1 | $69.0 |
| 7 | You’re Next | $7.0 | $7.0 |
| 8 | Percky Jackson: Sea Of Monsters | $5.2 | $48.3 |
| 9 | Blue Jasmine | $4.3 | $14.7 |
| 10 | Kick-Ass 2 | $4.2 | $22.4 |