US Weekend Box Office: '2 Guns' Shoots Past 'The Smurfs 2' To No.1

2 Guns shoots to the top of the US Weekend Box Office grossing, on its opening weekend, over $27 million.

Denzel Washington at the premiere of 2 Guns at the SVA Theatre, New York.

2 Guns stars Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. The cast also includes Paula Patton, Bill Paxton, Fred Ward, James Marsden and Edward James Olmos. The film follows a DEA agent and a naval intelligence officer on the run after failing to infiltrate a drug cartel.

Despite early critical reviews which were less than favourable, the film has done extremely well on its opening weekend. 2 Guns has grossed over $27.3 million this weekend, following its release on 2nd August.

Nikki Rocco, the Universal president of domestic distribution, expressed her pleasure at having another Universal film at no.1 in the US Box Office. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Rocco said "we're very happy to have the No.1 opening in North American for the seventh time this year. I think the chemistry between Washington and Wahlberg was a big draw. Adults really enjoyed the film."

Watch the 2 Guns trailer:

The Wolverine remains in second place, knocked off the top spot it held last week by 2 Guns. The superhero movie, starring Hugh Jackman, has now grossed (owing to its release internationally) $255.2 millon.

The other new release in the box office was The Smurfs 2 which placed 3rd, gaining just over $18 million. The Hollywood Reporter puts the failure of The Smurfs 2 down to the vast number of films family have to choose from at the moment including Turbo and Despicable Me 2 (also placing in the top ten). Attempting to brazen through the poor performance of the Smurfs sequel, Sony president of worldwide distribution Rory Bruer said: "it's a bit of a bummer how it performed here [in the US], but it's set to do big business on the world stage. To be at $80 million-plus at this point with many major markets yet to go, including China, we are in a great position. It will be hugely successful for the studio."

The Conjuring, which has surprised critics and Box Office speculators with its success, is in fourth place. Whilst Despicable Me 2, Grown Ups 2, Turbo and Red 2 obtained, respectively 5th-8th place. The Heat for the sixth week remains in the top 10, this weekend in 9th place. Rounding off the top ten is Pacific Rim.

2 Guns is in US cinemas now and is released in the UK on 16th August.

Mark Wahlberg at the premiere of 2 Guns at the SVA Theatre, New York.