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Felix Quinonez: I think this opening is simply stunning. Any time a movie makes more than double its budget on opening weekend, it's hard to call it anything other than a huge success. I knew that that books were huge but that doesn't always translate to blockbuster movies. It wouldn't be the first "literary phenomenon" to fail at the box office. But that wasn't the case and now it's certain that the other two books will be adapted into movies, with the third book probably split into two movies.

But as successful as it's already been, I can't help but wonder what would have happened if the movie was actually good. I know they've already made a lot of money but the reviews and cinemascore (C+) suggest that it won't have strong legs. It would have been interesting to see how big it could have been if the movie was good enough to live up to the hype. But I'm almost positive it will burn out.

Matthew Huntley: Fifty's opening was more or less in line with my expectations and I agree with everyone's assessment on why it was as successful as it was. It's just a shame the movie was so dull and inconsequential, because we are now poised to get the other two books adapted to the big screen (and hopefully the studio won't feel the need to turn the last book into two parts like every other series this day and age). I am looking forward to next weekend to see if it breaks the record for worst drop-off. I have a feeling it might, not only because of its scathing reviews, but also because it's coming off a holiday weekend and because its numbers are probably very front-loaded.

Michael Lynderey: Not to be snarky or cynical, but I'm really not particularly impressed (and it's nothing against the film, which I thought wasn't bad). I just think such openings have become the norm, rather than the exception, for these book adaptations with the huge (I dare not say "passionate") followings, the built-in anticipation, etc. The book was still big enough in the minds of its base, and the filmmakers made no discernible errors in bringing it to the screen. If Twilight could open with $69 million, then I could not think of a reason why Fifty Shades would not open in the $65 million - $85 million range for three days. The Twilight opening was incredibly shocking at the time, and while Fifty Shades came in slightly on the higher end of my expectations, I'm otherwise thoroughly desensitized when it comes to how high brand name movies open these days. American Sniper was bewildering, even SpongeBob, too. Fifty Shades is a gimme.

Ryan Kyle: This opening is stunning, although expected given the massive pre-sales. Universal did an amazing job embracing this film as something that people shouldn't be embarrassed about seeing. Their licensing department rivaled Disney in terms of slapping the logo on everything and anything so that the 50 Shades presence was present everywhere you looked. It was too big to fail, although the drop next weekend will come close to Friday the 13th (2009) for sharpest President's Day Weekend declines. Especially with a C+ Cinemascore, I doubt there are many repeat viewings to be seen. However, with an opening that has already doubled its production budget and a giant overseas haul, expect this franchise for many more Valentine's Day weekends to come.

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