No surprise, it was a Hobbit weekend with the title, accounting for over half of the overall box office and even setting a December record. It did not match the highest estimates of some box office prognosticators, but nevertheless a solid showing considering its expectations. The top 10 grossed over $122.6 million.
1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Gross: $84,775,000
Screens: 4,045 (PSA: $20,958)
Week: 1
As expected, Middle Earth proved highly lucrative at the box office, even setting a December record. With 4,045 theaters, The Hobbit’s gross outpaced the previous December record-holder, I Am Legend with $77.2 million. It also performed above the start of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King at $73.3 million. Still, the Lord of the Rings prequel did not match the lofty expectations of $100 million some had predicted. The feature accounted for over half of the b.o. over the weekend.
2. Rise of the Guardians
Gross: $7,420,000 (Cume: $71,361,823)
Screens: 3,387 (PSA: $2,191)
Week: 4 (Change: – 28.7%)
Rise of the Guardians placed second again and the title only fell about 29% maintaining momentum that should continue with its holiday theme. The pic will have to contend with a number of new releases headed to theaters between now and Christmas, so reaching the $100 million mark may still be tough.
3. Lincoln
Gross: $7,244,000 (Cume: $107,898,000)
Screens: 2,285 (PSA: 3,170)
Week: 6 (Change: – 18.8%)
After its big Golden Globe nomination haul, Steven Spielberg’s pic on the 16th U.S. President held strong, only dropping under 19% as the title added 271 theaters. Among the Oscar contenders, it is the highest grossing, at nearly $107.9 million, ahead of Argo’s $104.9 million.
4. Skyfall
Gross: $7 million (Cume: $272,366,000)
Screens: 2,924 (PSA: $2,394)
Week:…
Skyfall once again headed to the top spot in the box office over the weekend, grossing $11 million in a weekend that only had one weak showing from a major newcomer, Playing for Keeps. With little momentum behind it, the movie opened with only $6 million. Overall, the top 10 only took in $69.14 million, making it one of the lowest grossing weekends of 2012.
1. Skyfall
Gross: $11 million (Cume: $261.6 million)
Screens: 3,401 (PSA: $3,234)
Week: 5 (Change: – 33.6%)
A weak showing from the only major newcomer Playing for Keeps allowed the latest and most successful Bond installment to move back into number one over the weekend. It is within reach of becoming Sony’s highest-grossing film of the year, passing the studio’s The Amazing Spider-Man which totaled $262 million. The title is on track to make a final come of $290 million or even $300 million, which would give it bragging rights of over $120 million to $130 million more than the previous 007 record from Quantum of Solace.
2. Rise of the Guardians
Gross: $10,450,000 (Cume: $61,913,574)
Screens: 3 (PSA: $2,896)
Week: 3 (Change: – 21.3%)
Last weekend’s number 4 shot up to second this weekend with only a 21 percent drop. The pic has a Christmas connection which should give it momentum through the month, but its total at nearly $62 million may make a $100 million cume a challenge.
3. Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part – 2
Gross: $9.2 million (Cume: $268.7 million)
Screens: 3,646 (PSA: $2,523)
Week: 4 (Change: – 47.2%)
The film is now $1.4 million ahead of New Moon at the same point. It dropped two slots to number 3 after placing first for three weeks. The title lost 362 theaters from the previous weekend…
Full Story »Newcomers Killing Them Softly and The Collection bowed soft over the weekend, with the latter barely making it into the top ten. Holdovers including Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, Skyfall and Lincoln remained the top three pics domestically. The Weinstein Company’s Silver Linings Playbook, meanwhile, placed just outside the top ten over the weekend, though the Oscar hopeful played in comparatively far fewer locations and is showing strength as it continues to roll out slowly.
1. Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2
Gross: $17,410,000 (Cume: $254.6 million)
Screens: 4008 (PSA: $4,344)
Week: 3 (Change: – 60%)
Number one for three weeks, the final Twilight scored the top spot after a weak showing from newcomers. The feature dropped 62 locations from its second weekend and its $4,344 average was significantly lower than its $10,723 showing in week 2. Still, it is a bit better off than its previous installments and is within $1 million from matching New Moon.
2. Skyfall
Gross: $17 million (Cume: $246 million)
Screens: 3,463 (PSA: $4,909)
Week: 4 (Change: – 52%)
The highest grossing Bond film continues to show strength one month into its U.S. run. The pic averaged a solid $4,909, compared to Twilight’s $4,344 average in its third week, though it is in 545 fewer theaters. Globally, Skyfall has grossed over $869 million, a good return for its $200 million budget. A $300 million domestic run is not out of the question.
3. Lincoln
Gross: $13,509,000 (Cume: $83,698,000)
Screens: 2,018 (PSA: $6,694)
Week: 4 (Change: – 47%)
Steven Spielberg’s big Oscar contender remained in the same number of theaters in its third weekend, though its per screen average was almost halved from the previous weekend’s $12,724. Still, it had the highest PSA in the top 10 for the…
Full Story »The 23rd James Bond film lived up to its lofty hopes at the box office, continuing its stellar run Stateside after scoring hundreds of millions overseas including the U.K. where it opened theatrically late last month. The third 007 feature starring Daniel Craig grossed $87.8 million plus $2.2 million from Thursday night IMAX screenings. Skyfall’s total pushed the box office’s top 10 to over $159.1 million. Wreck-It Ralph placed second after debuting atop the box office last weekend. Steven Spielberg’s anticipated Lincoln, meanwhile opened in limited release at just 11 theaters with a stunning $81,800 per screen average. It should easily be in the upper echelon if not the top grossing film next week when it goes wide.
1. Skyfall
Gross: $87.8 million (Cume: $90 million)
Screens: 3,505 (PSA: $25,050)
Week: 1
Skyfall stole the box office over the weekend with the highest grossing Bond opening in the franchise’s fifty year history. Quantam of Solace opened with $67.5 million which was the previous record. The latest film’s was also double Casino Royale’s $40.8 million debut which was the current 007, Daniel Craig’s, first turn as the dashing British operative. In addition to this weekend’s $90 million take, it has grossed $428.6 million worldwide.
2. Wreck-It Ralph
Gross: $33,056,000 (Cume: $93,690,000)
Screens: 3,752 (PSA: $8,810)
Week: 2 (Change: – 32.6%)
The pic dropped one spot in its second weekend, remaining in the same number of theaters in its second round. Last weekend it debuted with a $13,070 screen average. With momentum going its way, a $200 million gross is not out of the question.
3. Flight
Gross: 15.1 million (Cume: $47,770,299)
Screens: 2,047 (PSA: $7,377)
Week: 2 (Change: – 39.4%)
The film, which debuted at the New York Film Festival…
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Fallout from Hurricane Sandy may have kept some crowds away from theaters over the weekend, but that did not stop Disney animated feature Wreck-It Ralph from packing a wallop at the box office. Box office in the top 12 headed northward to $124.6 million, 20 per cent higher than the previous week.
1. Wreck-It Ralph
Gross: $49,038,712
Screens: 3,752 (PSA: $13,070)
Week: 1
The Disney animation had a terrific bow, cashing in on great reviews and a solid marketing campaign. The feature also made $12 million internationally, making the title Disney’s top animated pic The $49 million plus domestic total compares to $40.1 million for Chicken Little in 2005. The opening compares to Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, which brought in over $60 million when it opened in June. But Ralph helped bring up an overall box office which eclipsed the previous weekend.
2. Flight
Gross: $24,900,566
Screens: 1,884 (PSA: $13,217)
Week: 1
Flight cruised with strong results in its opening weekend, even edging out the weekend’s number one box office winner, Wreck-It Ralph in terms of per screen average. The results were stronger than expected and shows Denzel Washington, who is tipped to be a force this Awards Season due to his performance, is an audience draw. This is Washington’s fifth best debut.
3. Argo
Gross: $10,209,103 (Cume: $75,860,240)
Screens: 2,774 (PSA: $3,680)
Week: 4 (Change: – 16%)
The Ben Affleck-directed feature in which he also stars is continuing to show very solid momentum now one month into its theatrical life. Word-of-mouth is propelling the feature’s box office prowess and it will likely hit the $100 million mark in the next few weeks.
4. The Man With the Iron Fists
Gross: $7,910,980
Screens: 1,868 (PSA: $4,235)
Week: 1
The gross is…
Full Story »All four studio releases debuted with a whimper at best and tanked at worst. Ben Affleck’s Argo topped the box office in a disappointing weekend. It is hard to estimate the impact on the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy had on Sunday on the East Coast as residents scurried to get ready for the storm, but the weekend’s box office took a hit nevertheless. Strong word-of-mouth made Argo one of the lone stars of the weekend.
1. Argo
Gross: $12,355,000 (Cume: $60,780,288)
Screens: 2,855 (PSA: $4,327)
Week: 3 (Change: – 24.9%)
Argo finally made it to number one three weeks into its release. But it was mostly by default because its competition from newcomers failed to make the box office grade. Still, Argo showed bravado on its own, with only a small dip in its returns, despite losing 392 locations. Word of mouth is clearly propelling the Ben Affleck-directed political thriller that is a strong contender for awards this season. A $100 million gross is certainly not out of the question.
2. Hotel Transylvania
Gross: $9.5 million (Cume: $130,434,000)
Screens: 3,276 (PSA: $2,900)
Week: 5 (Change: – 26.9%)
The animated feature jumped from fourth place last week to second in its fifth round. The $130 million-plus cumulative makes it one of Sony Pictures Animation’s top animated-only pic. It will eventually overtake The Smurfs, which grossed $142.6 million.
3. Cloud Atlas
Gross: $9.4 million
Screens: 2,008 (PSA: $4,681)
Week: 1
Six slightly connected stories told over two hours and forty-four minutes was bound to be a marketing challenge. The pic received a C+ CinemaScore, so it’s going to be a steep trek for this $100 million movie sees any profit. Its recognizable cast should help it as it heads overseas. While it’s the…
Full Story »A decent weekend overall, Paranormal Activity 4 lead the pack though its debut came in rather slow compared to previous installments. Argo held strong in its second weekend, showing word-of-mouth is cementing its box office prowess, while Hotel Transylvania, Taken 2 and Alex Cross rounded out the top five at the weekend box office.
1. Paranormal Activity 4
Gross: $30.2 million
Screens: 3,412 (PSA: $8,851)
Week: 1
The latest installment of Paranormal Activity lead a robust box office weekend. Still, it debuted comparatively lower to last year’s Paranormal Activity 3, which opened with over $52.5 million in 3,321 theaters and a $15,829 average. Paranormal Activity 2 bowed with just under $40.7 million its opening weekend in October of 2010, averaging $12,649.
2. Argo
Gross: $16,625,000 (Cume: $43,191,489)
Screens: 3,247 (PSA: $5,120)
Week: 2 (Change: – 14.6%)
Debuting second to Taken 2 last week, Ben Affleck’s Oscar-buzzed political thriller held strong adding just 15 more theaters in its second run, holding solidly in the number two position again. Word-of-mouth is clearly propelling the title as it continues its run.
3. Hotel Transylvania
Gross: $13.5 million (Cume: $119 million)
Screens: 3,384 (PSA: $3,989)a
Week: 4 (Change: – 21.7%)
One month into release, the animated title is holding strong. It placed fourth in its third weekend and managed to up one spot in its fourth weekend out. The title added nine theaters in its fourth run. Last weekend the title grossed $17.3 million.
4. Taken 2
Gross: $13.4 million (Cume: $105,971,000)
Screens: 3,489 (PSA: $3,841)
Week: 3 (Change: – 38%)
The number one film when it debuted, it tumbled over 55% in its second weekend, but managed to stem the fall a bit in the current round. The pic lost 217 theaters compared…
Full Story »Taken 2 exploded in its opening with $50 million and a spectacular per screen average of $13,657 in wide release. The film had one of the biggest October openings ever, showing momentum that should propel it in the coming weeks. Last weekend’s box office topper, Hotel Transylvania, held strong in its second weekend, landing second in the box office ranking. Frankenweenie, meanwhile, failed to appeal to large numbers of theater-goers, only placing fifth on the box office chart in a wide open.
1. Taken 2
Gross: $50 million
Screens: 3,661 (PSA: $13,657)
Week: 1
Taken 2 dominated the weekend with one of October’s best openings in box office history. By contrast, the first Taken cashed in at $24.71 million in 2009 when it opened in 3,183 theaters. Not bad, and the performance helped propel the overall box office to another stellar weekend after six weeks in the doldrums, which ended last weekend spearheaded by Hotel Transylvania and Looper. Estimates had Taken 2 coming in around the mid-30 million range, but it far exceeded that low-ball figure. Taken 2’s stellar result is outpaced by Paranormal Activity 3, which took in just over $52.56 million on October 21, 2011.
2. Hotel Transylvania (3-D, animation)
Gross: $26.3 million (Cume: $75,958,532)
Screens: 3,352 (PSA: $7,846)
Week: 2 (Change: – 38%)
Last weekend’s top earner held strong in its second weekend with a decline of only about 36 – 38 per cent according to estimates. The Sony animation title added just three additional screens for its second round and its nearly $76 million cume means the title will easily match its estimated $85 million budget this week.
3. Pitch Perfect
Gross: $14,736,400 (Cume: $21,582,608)
Screens: 2,770 (PSA: $5,320)
Week: 2 (Change: +186%)
The title added 2,435…
Full Story »After box office doldrums in late summer and the start of fall, Hollywood finally had a weekend it can celebrate. Hotel Transylvania and Looper debuted to great numbers, helping to end a five week slump. The top ten accounted for just over $104.4 million with the top two titles accounting for $64 million of that total. Another newcomer, Pitch Perfect also opened robustly, ranking sixth in the chart despite being in only 335 theaters. Won’t Back Down, however, opened weak, providing a bit of a reality check.
1. Hotel Transylvania
Gross: $43 million
Screens: $3,349 (PSA: $12,840)
Week: 1
Hotel Transylvania soared atop the box office, ending a five week slump in the overall chart. The Columbia/Sony title had the biggest September roll out ever, beating 2002’s Sweet Home Alabama and its $35.65 million debut.
2. Looper
Gross: $21 million
Screens: 2,992 (PSA: $7,086)
Week: 1
The sci-fi action thriller had a solid debut. This is a great showing for Joseph Gordon-Levitt who clearly has crossed over into film stardom vs. a niche sensation.
3. End of Watch
Gross: $8,000,265 (Cume: $26,168,897)
Screens: 2,780 (PSA: $2,878)
Week: 2 (Change: – 39%)
Word-of-mouth helped keep End of Watch strong in its second weekend. Last week’s box office topper added 50 theaters and grossed a solid $8 million-plus. Not bad for a pic with a production budget estimated at $7 million.
4. Trouble with the Curve
Gross: $7,530,000 (Cume: $23,726,000)
Screens: 3,212 (PSA: $2,344)
Week: 2 (Change: – 38%)
The Clint Eastwood-directed pic remained in the same number of venues in its second turn and dropped to fourth from third in its initial run.
5. House at the End of the Street
Gross: $7,154,000 (Cume: $22,224,969)
Screens: 3,083 (PSA: $2,320)
…
Three new titles essentially scored the number one spot, but they topped a very anemic box office that did not have any titles score anything above $13 million. The top 10 added up to almost $73.5 million, a bit of an improvement over last week’s $65.36 million, but still slow. End of Watch grossed $13 million, on par for director David Ayer’s previous effort. House at the End of the Street also grossed $13 million, but in more theaters than Watch. And Clint Eastwood’s latest Trouble with the Curve bowed with just over $12.7 million.
1. End of Watch
Gross: $13 million
Screens: 2,730 (PSA: $4,762)
Week: 1
The cop drama by David Ayer topped an otherwise unimpressive overall box office over the weekend, with a slow $4,762 average. The feature grossed a comparable amount to Ayer’s previous effort, Street Kings, which bowed in 2,467 theaters back in ‘08, grossing just under $12.5 million.
2. House at the End of the Street
Gross: $13 million
Screens: 3,083 (PSA: $4,217)
Week 1
The feature essentially tied with End of Watch as the weekend’s number one film, though its per screen average was slightly lower due to its larger screen number. Though atop the box office, it was nevertheless a rather anemic triumph.
3. Trouble with the Curve
Gross: $12,720,000
Screens: 3,212 (PSA: $3,960)
Week: 1
Clint Eastwood’s previous efforts, Gran Torino and Million Dollar Baby were limited release roll outs. His last wide release debut, Blood Work (2002) opened with just over $7.31 million in 2,525 theaters (not adjusted for inflation), so this latest turn appears to be a slight improvement. Still, it may be tight for this one to score the $100 million-plus lifetime theatrical gross of Million…
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