‘The Lorax’ peaks box office beating Disney’s $250M Sci-Fi, ‘John Carter’

Dr. Seuss film, “The Lorax” remained stubbornly fix at the top of box office charts over the weekend, comfortably beating the Walt Disney’s over the budget science fiction ‘John Carter’.

Universal Pictures’ “The Lorax” made its way to the hearts of the audience as it tells an environmental tale about a cute and furry orange forest creature protecting the trees. Lorax is grumpy yet charming and is ready to do what ever it takes to guard the world he lives in. The movie tells the journey of a boy who must discover the story of the Lorax to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. The movie is an adaptation of Seuss 1971 children’s book. The studio estimates the animation has made more than $39.1 million through ticket sales in U.S and Canada in just three days and $70 million in its second week.

‘John Carter’ the first live action movie by Andrew Stanton, director of Oscar winning ‘Wall E’ and ‘Finding Nemo’ on the other hand was met with an underwhelming response grossing $30.6 million domestically. Its international share however was better with $70.6 million from 55 territories.

Over the budget Carter finds it self face to face with the bizarre question of whether it could become profitable, when it’s standing far below the break even point. The film is based on a book by Edger Rice Burroughs, Tarzan’s creator that stars Taylor Kitsch, an ex-military captain transported to Mars to stop the planets bloody civil war.

With Disney eyeing more international markets to open the film, the question on its profitability remains indefinite at such an early stage. "While, of course, we appreciate the general economics of the film, we're encouraged by how it's being received by general audiences and how it translates throughout the course of its run," said Disney distribution exec Dave Hollis, referring to its B+ Cinema Score rating and its all time biggest opening day in the Russian market.

The Lorax received a 58% average rating from the critics at Rotten Tomatoes while John Carter remains far behind at 49%. Comedy Project X pulled together $11million while Horror flick Silent House came at a distant fourth with just $7 million in its opening week. The fifth place has been locked by the military drama “Act of Valor”.