According to our own Jonathan Holmes, Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim vs. The World film may be the first "true videogame movie." While based on the Bryan Lee O'Malley graphic novel series and not a game, the film (much like the comic) makes enough geek culture and game reference that it makes it easy to see where Holmes is coming from. And he loved the film.
He's not alone -- critics and gaming culture aficionados alike have hailed Wright's film, starring Michael Cera as the titular Pilgrim, as one of the best films of the year. But how did it do at the box office during its opening weekend? Not so great, pulling in a meager (by Hollywood standards) $10,609,795. By comparison, Sylvester Stallone's testosterone-a-thon The Expendables topped the box office with $34,825,135 during its opening weekend (via The Numbers).
Despite receiving high praise and vuvuzela-like buzz from gamers, how did Pilgrim do compared to other videogame-related films? I hope you're sitting down -- during their respective opening weekends, films like Doom, Mortal Kombat, and Max Payne beat out Pilgrim's box office draw. In fact, Pilgrim comes in ranked 12 on a list (generated by EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich) topped by 2001's Tomb Raider: Lara Croft ($64,049,321), starring Angelina Jolie. Pilgrim did, however, manage to top game films The Wizard, Alone in the Dark, and Double Dragon; it should be noted that all three films had limited theatrical releases.
The full harrowing chart can be found after the jump, for those interested train wrecks. Hey, there's always DVD/Blu-ray sales. Did you go out and see Scott Pilgrim vs. The World last weekend? Why or why not?
Contest:
2:40 PM on 08.18.2010 | 
I'm going to see it because it looks FANTASTIC, but maybe a lot of people have the same opinion as him. And he is a Comic-lover, and Gamer.
I didn't go see Scott Pilgrim because I'm nearly 30 and I had my 'emo' phase in the late 90's/early 00's.
Surprising though.
when will you review Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore?
i went to see this on opening night and it was almost empty in there.
damn shame.
When Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore features abundant and blatant references to videogames and gamer culture?
Also, I throw my hat into the ring that it's not a videogame movie. Not for any real reason other than it just didn't feel that videogame heavy to me. It felt like a nerd flick for sure but a videogame movie I wouldn't call it.
I feel like if you're gonna call Scott Pilgrim a videogame film you need to rewrite the definition and if you rewrite that definition you have to welcome a lot of other films that came before Scott Pilgrim into that category.
I enjoyed the hell out of this movie. It isn't for everyone, but it was most certainly for me.
But... I guess you could argue the game came out before the movie <<..... lol
Haven't seen the movie yet, surprised it was so empty for you. What you said makes sense because Scott Pilgrim as a comic was never totally about videogames, it's more about nerd culture and being a nerd amongst "cool" people.
In short, THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS!
I saw it on Saturday and loved it.
I hope to see it again soon.
Also, I eagerly anticipate the Blu-ray/DVD release.
This is pretty unfortunate the movie was rad, way better then the other crap that's beaten it. I think it was a combination of factors, coming out at the same time as The Expendables and a marketing campaign that made most people who don't know anything about it go "what the hell?".
I heard it didn't open in the UK last weekend, so hopefully this weekend it'll gain some more sales. Lots of Edgar Wright fans over there.
I suppose just too niche? Either way, it may not of made a lot of money, but i think I and many others would give the film a thumbs up for quality. I for one can't wait to pick it up on bluray.
Well said.
And yes, Cera will literally be the reason I don't pay to see it. He will also be the reason I take my time to wait for the DVD release on the off chance that I even feel like taking a few minutes to find a free copy online.
And more complaints from people unfamiliar with Scott Pilgrim assuming, misinterpreting, and stereotyping what the series and fans are like. Typical Scott Pilgrim article. "Scott Hipster" isn't clever or witty, it just shows your ignorance.
Basically, they put too much emphasis on the feelings (which, literally, are covered in the trailer scenes. There's no emotional scene you haven't seen, if you've watched the trailers) and no emphasis on the explosions and the cleverness, which is 100% of the movie.
I LOVED the movie.
Als,o I promise the people complaining about Michael Cera that you all have rapidly become more annoying that Cera could ever possibly be to you.
It ended up 5th over the weekend which is Edgar Wrights biggest US opening and is on course to make more money than either Shaun of the Dead ($30) or Hot Fuzz ($80) made in their time at the worldwide box office.
Luckily it opens against nothing in the UK, giving it a bit more a chance. I know my tickets are already booked.
Saw it twice, loved it. It was just as much of a video game movie as Tron was, except instead of being digitized into a game, life WAS the game. Not surprised at the gross, though, I'm sure that general audiences had no idea what to make of it.
Also, I promise the people complaining about Michael Cera that you all have rapidly become more annoying that Cera could ever possibly be to you.
Finally, EDIT BUTTON.
You know who else is the same in everything he does? Sylvestor Stallone, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Christopher Walken (recently), Jason Bateman, Vince Vaughn, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ving Rhames, and so on and so on. Does it get tiring seeing them play the same things over and over again? Yeah sometimes. Do they do what they do well? YES!
Some actors, play a certain kind of part really really well. Michael Cera happens to play 20-somethings really well. What do you want to see him as, a boxer? A hard boiled cop? A flying magician who rides a motorcycle (that flies)? If you answered yes to anything but the last, you are ridiculous.
You hate him because it's the hip thing to do. Shove those prejudices down, go see the movie and DECIDE FOR YOURSELVES.
Plus, he his kind of an unintentional badass/jerkass in this movie. Does that fit into your SAME ROLE EVERY TIME ZOMG ideal?