IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

High Note for 'Pitch Perfect 2,' Top Box Office Earner in Debut Weekend

'Pitch Perfect 2' easily out-earned the newest 'Mad Max' offering in their debut weekends.
Image: Premiere Of Universal Pictures' \"Pitch Perfect 2\" - Arrivals
Actress Anna Kendrick arrives at the World Premiere of "Pitch Perfect 2" held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Friday, May 8, 2015, in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt / Getty Images

The ladies of "Pitch Perfect 2" hit all the right notes opening weekend, amassing a $70.3 million debut, according to Rentrak estimates Sunday.

The Elizabeth Banks-directed sequel to the 2012 sleeper hit and video on demand phenomenon cost Universal Pictures only $29 million to produce and was expected to open in the $50 million range. The first film, for comparison, grossed only $65 million domestically across its entire run.

George Miller's critically acclaimed "Mad Max: Fury Road," landed a distant second in its debut weekend with a solid and expected $44.4 million from 3,702 locations. The high-octane, post-apocalyptic film cost a reported $150 million to make and stars Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy.

For Rentrak's Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, the weekend is an undisputed success for both studios.

"Each film absolutely found its target audience," said Dergarabedian. "They were running on parallel tracks and both exceeded expectations by not cannibalizing each other. It was the perfect release strategy for two very different, high-profile films...it really paid off handsomely."

Holdovers "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Hot Pursuit," and "Furious 7" claimed the rest of the spots in the top five.

— Associated Press