Veterans help Midway win the Veterans Day weekend box office

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.

After Veterans Day parades and ceremonies veterans and their families headed to the movies.

Linda Josephson of Carpinteria said it was her idea to see Midway. Her husband Jim is an Army veteran.

“My dad was in South Pacific war as a doctor in Guadalcanal. This is about the Pacific, war in the Pacific.”

Veterans gave the remake of the 1976 film staring Henry Fonda and Charlton Heston rave reviews.

“The movie was spectacular I am a veteran, it was a beautiful day to come out on Veterans Day to see this particular movie. If you haven’t seen it, you should see it,” said veteran Darrell Shaver.

The cast that includes Luke Evans, Patrick Wilson, Dennis Quaid, Woody Harrelson, Mandy Moore and Nick Jonas attracted people of all ages.

Noa Margalith went to the movie with her friends.

“The movie was really great, it made me feel kind of sad thinking of all the people that died in the war, but it was a really great movie."

Noah Perez said, “I enjoyed it. It made me kind of sad, I know that I have a lot of ancestors who were in World War II and died in the Pearl Harbor bombings and stuff.”

The film uses CGI to show the Naval battle at sea that proved to be a turning point in the war 6 months after Pearl Harbor.

Mark Vestal said his wife was out of town so he went to the movie alone.

“ I decided for Veterans Day to see Midway. It was amazing. I couldn't believe everything they did for our country, giving us freedom."

Midway bumped Terminator from the top spot at the box office before Monday's tickets sales were added.