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*Tyler Perry fans already know that Madea is not to be messed with. Over the weekend, the “pistol-grip-pump-on-my-lap-at-all-times” matriarch managed to reduce a team of eight life-saving sled dogs to scared little puppies as “Madea’s Family Reunion” took over the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office.
. The film opened with an estimated $30.3 million worth of tickets sales, knocking last week’s winner “Eight Below” to No. 2 on sales of $15.7 million.
“Reunion” arrives almost one year after “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” shocked the world with its No. 1 bow at just over $20 million.
Perry’s lucrative “Madea” franchise began with sold-out plays featuring the filmmaker in drag as the head of a dysfunctional family. Last year’s “Diary” was budgeted at $5.5 million and ended up grossing $50 million.
Impressed with “Diary’s” opening weekend performance, “Reunion” was booked in 711 more theaters than its Madea predecessor - with 2,194 venues having showed the film over the weekend.
(Read our "Reunion" review from Kam Williams HERE.)