‘Obama’s America’ documentary beats ‘Premium Rush’ in final tally
This recount worked out well for the right wing.
With final ticket sales tallied Monday, the conservative documentary “2016: Obama’s America†was the top new movie this weekend, selling $6.5 million worth of tickets in the U.S. and Canada.
Estimates compiled by studios Sunday morning showed Sony Pictures’ thriller “Premium Rush†with a slight lead at $6.3 million, compared with $6.2 million for the anti-Obama film, directed by conservative pundit Dinesh D’Souza.
It’s a remarkable achievement for the movie, distributed by Rocky Mountain Pictures, given that it played at only 1,091 theaters, compared with 2,225 for “Premium Rush,†which stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a New York City bike messenger in danger.
“Obama’s America,†financed for $2.5 million by 25 individuals personally courted by D’Souza, performed best this weekend in such red states as Louisiana and Kansas. The movie was primarily promoted through a grass-roots marketing campaign that included phone chains to conservative groups and interviews with the filmmaker on networks such as CNN and Fox.
While “Obama’s America†-- which has grossed a total of $9.3 million, including a small run the prior weekend -- is already a success given its scale, it is hardly a blockbuster. The most successful feature documentary ever is still Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11,†which examined then-President George W. Bush and grossed $119 domestically million in 2004.
ALSO:
Audience growing for ‘2016: Obama’s America’
Anti-Obama documentary does surprisingly well on slow weekend
Fire hits Tyler Perry’s Atlanta studio for second time this year
From the Oscars to the Emmys.
Get the Envelope newsletter for exclusive awards season coverage, behind-the-scenes stories from the Envelope podcast and columnist Glenn Whipp’s must-read analysis.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
