Where did ‘Straight Outta Compton’ make the most money? Not where you’d think

It’s no surprise that the people who turned out in the largest numbers to see “Straight Outta Compton” mostly were Angelenos, but the list of top 10 theaters for ticket sales nationally has a surprise at No. 1.

The film, released by Universal Pictures, follows iconic rap group N.W.A from its scrappy beginnings in Compton in the mid-’80s to its unlikely success and the death of member Eazy-E. The musical biopic far exceeded tracking expectations, debuting with $60.2 million. L.A. was the biggest market “by far,” said Nicholas Carpou, Universal Pictures’ head of domestic distribution.

At the film’s premiere at L.A. Live last week, fans of the group — many who said they grew up in Compton or Inglewood neighborhoods — showed up in masses to catch glimpses of the original members and the fresh-faced cast who play them on the big screen, including Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins (as Dr. Dre), Jason Mitchell (as Eazy-E), Neil Brown Jr. (as DJ Yella) and Aldis Hodge (as MC Ren).

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According to Universal, the top 10 theaters for “Straight Outta Compton” ticket sales on opening weekend were:

1. Regal Atlantic Station in Atlanta

2. Regal L.A. Live Stadium14

3. AMC Burbank *

4. Arclight Hollywood

5. AMC Orange 30

6. Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26

7. Pacific Theatres at the Grove

8. AMC Ontario Mills 30

9. Arclight Sherman Oaks

10. Cinemark 18 in L.A.’s Westchester neighborhood

* AMC and box office analyst Rentrak count AMC Burbank 16 and AMC Town Center 6 Burbank as a single location.

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MORE ON ‘STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON’:

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‘Straight Outta Compton’ conquers box office with $56.1-million opening

Review: N.W.A film ‘Straight Outta Compton’ starts fast but runs out of gas