'Hotel Transylvania 2' bites off September record

LOS ANGELES -- September has a new box office star in "Hotel Transylvania 2." The PG-rated animated pic earned a robust $47.5 million in its debut weekend, making it the top September opener of all time, according to Rentrak estimates Sunday.

The previous record holder was "Hotel Transylvania" which opened to $42.5 million in 2012.

"It really is something the whole family can agree to see. There are laughs for adults, kids and teenagers as well," said Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution for Sony.

According to the studio, an estimated 59 percent of audiences were female and 60 percent were under the age of 25.

Paul Dergarabedian, a Senior Media Analyst for box office tracker Rentrak, noted the film capitalized on early excitement for Halloween. It's also serving an audience eager for more family friendly animated content.

"This year hasn't been oversaturated with family animated films; it seems like virtually all have done well," he said.

The film, which cost around $80 million to make, features the voices of Adam Sandler, Mel Brooks, Selena Gomez and Kevin James and is the only animated feature on the market until "Peanuts" opens in November.

"The Intern," a PG-13 rated workplace comedy starring Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro, took second with a solid $18.2 million.

Audiences for the Nancy Meyers written and directed film were 62 percent women and 88 percent over the age of 25.

Significantly, 55 percent were over 50 years old -- an audience that typically doesn't rush out to see films on opening weekend.

"Nancy Meyers is her own brand, and I think that automatically accesses an audience who looks at it and thinks, 'This is a movie I want to see,"' said Jeff Goldstein, an executive vice president at Warner Bros., of the veteran filmmaker known for films such as "It's Complicated."

"Here, we have a real hit," he said.

"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" took third place in its second weekend in theaters with $14 million -- a 54 percent drop from its opening.

The film has brought in $51.7 million to date.

"Everest," meanwhile, landed in fourth place with only $13.1 million after expanding nationwide.

The fact-based adventure film opened only on IMAX and premium large-format 3D screens last weekend.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Final domestic figures will be released today.

1. "Hotel Transylvania 2," $47.5 million.

2. "The Intern," $18.2 million.

3. "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials," $14 million.

4. "Everest," $13.1 million.

5. "Black Mass," $11.5 million.

6. "The Visit," $6.7 million.

7. "The Perfect Guy," $4.8 million.

8. "War Room," $4.3 million.

9. "The Green Inferno," $3.5 million.

10. "Sicario," $1.8 million.