Despite complaints from disability groups, Tropic Thunder finished at #1

DreamWorks and Paramount’s big-budget comedy “Tropic Thunder” topped the weekend box office in grossing an estimated $26 million from 3,319 theaters for a five-day opening cume of $37 million.

The R-rated comedy skewed older, with a hefty 57% of the aud over the age of 25.

Warner Bros.’ Batman sequel “The Dark Knight” also was victorious in officially becoming the second highest grossing pic of all time domestically, surpassing the original “Star Wars.” For the weekend, “Dark Knight” grossed an estimated $16.8 million from 3,590 runs for a cume of $471.5 million in just 30 days.

Warner Bros. took the No. 2 spot with “Dark Knight and the No. 3 spot with George Lucas’ animated “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” which opened to an estimated $15.5 million from 3,452 runs.

Among other new openings, New Regency’s R-rated “Mirrors,” distributed by 20th Century Fox, took advantage of being the only horror pic in the market, coming in No. 4 and debuting an estimated $11.1 million from 2,664 runs.

Woody Allen pic “Vicky Cristinia Barcelona,” bowing on 692 screens and released by MGM/The Weinstein Co., placed No. 10 for the weekend in grossing an estimated $3.7 million for a per screen average of $5,361.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “Tropic Thunder,” $26 million.

2. “The Dark Knight,” $16.8 million.

3. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” $15.5 million.

4. “Mirrors,” $11.1 million.

5. “Pineapple Express,” $10 million.

6. “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” $8.6 million.

7. “Mamma Mia!”, $6.5 million.

8. “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2,” $5.9 million.

9. “Step Brothers,” $5 million.

10. “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” $3.7 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

The Dark Knight has become the third biggest movie of all time.

“The Dark Knight” staged a comeback Saturday to emerge victorious for the fourth straight frame, while some surprisingly durable holdovers continued to find traction in the middle of the top 10 pack.

Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ superhero sequel lost to “Pineapple Express” on Friday by a narrow $7.9 million to $7.6 million margin. But on Saturday it surged ahead of Sony’s stoner comedy, winning the day with $10.5 million vs. $7.6 million. Combined with a slightly higher Sunday estimate, it ended up comfortably in the top spot with $26 million.

Christian Bale and Heath Ledger starrer has now cumed $441.5 million, surpassing “Shrek 2” as the third highest domestic grosser of all time. It’s expected to beat “Star Wars’ ” $461 million total in the next week before finally settling at No. 2, behind “Titanic.”

Final weekend gross for “Pineapple” was a solid $22.4 million. Since its Wednesday opening, pic has toked $40.4 million. Weekend take was lower than last August’s Judd Apatow-produced comedy starring Seth Rogen, “Superbad,” which opened at $33 million, but “Pineapple” easily wins in a comparison of the two pics first five days.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “The Dark Knight,” $26 million.

2. “Pineapple Express,” $22.4 million.

3. “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” $16.1 million.

4. “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2,” $10.8 million.

5. “Step Brothers,” $8.9 million.

6. “Mamma Mia!”, $8.1 million.

7. “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” $4.9 million.

8. “Hancock,” $3.3 million.

9. “Swing Vote,” $3.1 million.

10. “WALL-E,” $3 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

The Dark Knight edged out the latest Mummy film.

In only its 18th day in release, Warner Bros.’ “The Dark Knight” reached the $400 million mark in domestic sales on Monday, grossing $6.3 million for a cume of $400.1 million.

That easily beats the 43 days it took “Shrek 2″ to jump the $400 million boundary.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, “Dark Knight” has shown remarkable legs, setting records all along the way. Over the weekend, the Batman sequel declined just 43% to $42.7 million from 4,266 theaters to come in No. 1 at the domestic B.O. for the third weekend in a row, and beating new entry “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” which opened to $40.5 million, according to Rentrak.

“Dark Knight” has every chance of nearing or crossing $500 million domestically, making it the second highest grossing title of all time after “Titanic,” which cumed $600.8 million at the domestic box office.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “The Dark Knight,” $43.8 million.

2. “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” $42.5 million.

3. “Step Brothers,” $16.3 million.

4. “Mamma Mia!”, $13.1 million.

5. “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” $6.9 million.

6. “Swing Vote,” $6.3 million.

7. “Hancock,” $5.2 million.

8. “WALL-E,” $4.7 million.

9. “The X-Files: I Want to Believe,” $3.4 million.

10. “Space Chimps,” $2.8 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

The Dark Knight fever is approaching $400 million mark. 

Warner Bros.’ “The Dark Knight“ continued its record-breaking crusade over the weekend, grossing an estimated $75.6 million from 4,366 theaters at the domestic box office.

The huge weekend means the pic broke the $300 million barrier in only 10 days and is quickly careening toward the $400 million mark.

No other film in history has made so much in its sophomore sesh, and the “Dark Knight” cume has reached $312.4 million. Batman sequel declined just 52% over the weekend.

That wasn’t the only good news at the box office. Sony’s Will Ferrell-John C. Reilly comedy “Step Brothers” opened to a pleasing $30 million from 3,094 runs, putting the R-rated pic at No. 2 for the weekend.

And Universal holdover “Mamma Mia!” remained a crowd-pleaser, declining just 36% in its second weekend to $17.9 million from 2,990 and placing No. 3. Cume is $62.7 million.

The only title coming in on the low end of expectations was 20th Century Fox’s “The X-Files: I Want to Believe,” which opened to an estimated $10.2 million from 3,185, putting it at No. 4.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “The Dark Knight,” $75.63 million.

2. “Step Brothers,” $30 million.

3. “Mamma Mia!” $17.9 million.

4. “The X-Files: I Want to Believe,” $10.2 million.

5. “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” $9.4 million.

6. “Hancock,” $8.2 million.

7. “WALL-E,” $6.3 million.

8. “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” $4.9 million.

9. “Space Chimps,” $4.4 million.

10. “Wanted,” $2.7 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

The Dark Knight surpassed Spiderman 3’s opening weekend from May 1997.

Warner Bros.’ Batman sequel “The Dark Knight” became box office legend as it opened to an estimated $155.4 million from 4,366 theaters, the highest opening ever for a three-day weekend.

“Dark Knight,” from filmmaker Christopher Nolan and returning Christian Bale as the caped crusader, shot past the previous record-holder, “Spider-Man 3,” which earned $151.1 million in its debut in May 2007. Batman–after multiple stops-and-starts, is now the most successful superhero ever to hit the bigscreen. Legendary Pictures co-financed and co-produced “Dark Knight.”

Universal female-skewing musical “Mamma Mia!” was no wallflower either, grossing an estimated $27.6 million from 2,976 runs in its debut to snatch the best opening for a musical in narrowly beating out the $27.5 million opening of musical “Hairspray” on the same weekend last year.

“Dark Knight,” along with “Mamma Mia” and several stalwart holdovers, delivered the film business its best weekend ever for a non-holiday, with total box office receipts of roughly $250 million. Frame’s performance stunned Hollywood.

Previous best weekend was July 7-9 2006, which racked up total B.O. grosses of $218.4 million, led by the $135.6 million opening of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.”

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. ‘The Dark Knight,’ $155.34 million.

2. ‘Mamma Mia!’, $27.6 million.

3. ‘Hancock,’ $14 million.

4. ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth,’ $11.9 million.

5. ‘Hellboy II: The Golden Army,’ $10 million.

6. ‘WALL-E,’ $9.8 million.

7. ‘Space Chimps,’ $7.4 million.

8. ‘Wanted,’ $5.1 million.

9. ‘Get Smart,’ $4.1 million.

10. ‘Kung Fu Panda,’ $1.8 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

Hellboy II:The Golden Army edged out Hancock for the weekend’s top film. 

The weekend box office brought both victory and defeat as Universal’s “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” did hellacious business in debuting to an estimated $35.9 million, while 20th Century Fox and New Regency’s “Meet Dave” saw one of the worst openings ever for an Eddie Murphy pic in grossing just $5.3 million.

Landing somewhere in the middle was New Line and Walden Media’s 3-D action-adventure “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” which grossed an estimated $20.6 million from 2,811 runs in the widest test yet of digital 3-D fare. The lion’s share of the gross came from higher-priced 3-D tickets, according to distributor Warner Bros.

“Golden Army,” directed by Guillermo del Toro and playing in 3,204 theaters, beat out Will Smith holdover “Hancock” for the weekend crown on the strength of males and a surprisingly older audience. Opening perf is a victory for del Toro and Universal, which took over the film franchise from Sony. Sequel opened $12 million higher than del Toro’s original “Hellboy.”

“Journey” placed No. 3 in its bow.

“Meet Dave,” placing only No. 7, is the second high-profile summer comedy to take a free-fall after Mike Myers’ “The Love Guru,” which opened at $13.9 million. Both comedies cost around $60 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” $35.9 million.

2. “Hancock,” $33 million.

3. “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” $20.6 million.

4. “WALL-E,” $18.5 million.

5. “Wanted,” $11.6 million.

6. “Get Smart,” $7.1 million.

7. “Meet Dave,” $5.3 million.

8. “Kung Fu Panda,” $4.3 million.

9. “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,” $2.5 million.

10. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” $2.3 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

Will Smith’s cinema consistency continued with “Hancock” a major hit in theaters.

Cashing in on Will Smith’s star status, Sony’s “Hancock” debuted to an estimated $107.3 million from 2,965 runs over the extended July 4th frame to become the third-best holiday opener of all time after “Transformers” and “Spider-Man 2.”

Pic–unspooling over a total of 5½ days–grossed an estimated $66 million for the weekend itself to easily come in No. 1, according to Rentrak.

Last year, “Transformers” opened to $155.4 million over 6½ days, including a weekend haul of $70.5 million. “Spider-Man 2,” also from Sony, made $152.3 million over 5½ days and $88.1 million over the weekend itself in 2004.

“Hancock” marks the eighth Will Smith film in a row to open at No. 1, as well as his fifth–and most successful–July 4th outing. Film’s performance further solidifies Smith’s standing as the world’s biggest star, considering that “Hancock” received generally poor reviews.

Picturehouse’s “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,” the other new wide offering, didn’t fare so well. Film grossed an estimated $3.6 million from 1,843 theaters to place only No. 8 for the weekend.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “Hancock,” $66 million.

2. “WALL-E,” $33.4 million.

3. “Wanted,” $20.6 million.

4. “Get Smart,” $11.1 million.

5. “Kung Fu Panda,” $7.5 million.

6. “The Incredible Hulk,” $5 million.

7. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” $3.9 million.

8. “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,” $3.6 million.

9. “Sex and the City,” $2.3 million.

10. “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan,” $2 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

Pixar delivered another #1 hit movie with their latest studio effort.

Pixar and Disney’s endearing “Wall-E” and Universal’s Angelina Jolie-James McAvoy actioner “Wanted” made for another boffo weekend at the summer box office as overall revenues for the year moved ahead of 2007 for the first time in months.

The critically acclaimed “Wall-E,” directed by Andrew Stanton, easily won the weekend, grossing an estimated $62.5 million from 3,992 runs. The R-rated “Wanted” rocketed past expectations, grossing an estimated $51.1 million from 3,175.

Each made the record books.

“Wall-E” was anything but robotic, scoring the second best June opening of all time, after “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” ($94.7 million). Opening is the third highest among the nine Pixar films after “The Incredibles” ($70.5 million) and “Finding Nemo” ($70.2 million). And at $23.1 million, toon scored the biggest opening-day gross of any Pixar title, reflecting the fact that kids were out of school and free to hit theaters on Friday.

“Wanted” scored the best opening ever for an R-rated film released in June and the sixth best of all time for any R-rated pic. Film, also starring Morgan Freeman, placed No. 2 for the weekend and played well across ethnic groups. U said it’s already eyeing a sequel.

Strength of the domestic box office in June suggests that soaring gas prices and the sagging economy have left Americans eager to escape — without necessarily traveling out of town. For the most part, Hollywood’s summer slate is hitting the right chord with consumers.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “WALL-E,” $62.5 million.

2. “Wanted,” $51.1 million.

3. “Get Smart,” $20 million.

4. “Kung Fu Panda,” $11.7 million.

5. “The Incredible Hulk,” $9.2 million.

6. “The Love Guru,” $5.4 million.

7. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” $5 million.

8. “The Happening,” $3.9 million.

9. “Sex and the City,” $3.8 million.

10. “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan,” $3.2 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

Mike Myers topliner “The Love Guru” suffered from bad karma in its box office bow, while Warner Bros.’ “Get Smart” had enough brains to easily win the weekend and possibly launch a film franchise for Warners and Village Roadshow.

“Get Smart,” starring Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway, grossed an estimated $39.1 million from 3,911 runs, introducing a new generation to the spy spoof property created for television in the 1960s by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry.

The race between the two comedies wasn’t even close. “Guru,” from Paramount and Spyglass, placed only No. 4 for the weekend, grossing an estimated $14 million from 3,012 runs. That’s a blow for Myers and partners Par and Spyglass.

Paramount had much better luck with DreamWorks Animation toon “Kung Fu Panda,” which essentially tied with Universal and Marvel’s “The Incredible Hulk” for the No. 2 spot at the weekend box office.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “Get Smart,” $39.2 million.

2. “Kung Fu Panda,” $21.7 million.

3. “The Incredible Hulk,” $21.6 million.

4. “The Love Guru,” $14 million.

5. “The Happening,” $10 million.

6. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” $8.4 million.

7. “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan,” $7.2 million.

8. “Sex and the City,” $6.5 million.

9. “Iron Man,” $4 million.

10. “The Strangers,” $1.9 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

The Hulk smashed the box office this past weekend

The weekend box office once again wowed as Marvel Studios and Universal’s “The Incredible Hulk” made up for past mistakes in grossing an estimated $54.5 million domestically and M. Night Shyamalan’s R-rated “The Happening” outperformed expectations in grossing an estimated $30.5 million for 20th Century Fox.
Overseas, “Happening” narrowly beat “Hulk” in grossing an estimated $32.1 million from 5,714 runs. “Hulk,” playing in far fewer locations, grossed $31 million from 3,165.

Domestically, “Hulk” won the weekend as it debuted in 3,505 runs. It nabbed the second-best gross ever for Father’s Day weekend after last year’s “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” ($58 million) and is another victory for Marvel, home studio of “Iron Man.”

“Happening,” bowing in 2,986, also made the record books. The horror-thriller, playing in 2,984 runs, is the second-best June opening for an R-rated film after raunchy laffer “Knocked Up,” which opened last year to $30.7 million. Not many R-rated films debut in June, considering its prime season for all-audience summer films.

Still, “Happening” lost the No. 2 spot to DreamWorks Animation/Paramount holdover “Kung Fu Panda,” which declined a slim 43% in its second sesh to an estimated $34.3 million from 4,136 runs for a cume of $118 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “The Incredible Hulk,” $54.5 million.

2. “Kung Fu Panda,” $34.3 million.

3. “The Happening,” $30.5 million.

4. “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan,” $16.4 million.

5. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” $13.5 million.

6. “Sex and the City,” $10.2 million.

7. “Iron Man,” $5.1 million.

8. “The Strangers,” $4.1 million.

9. “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” $3 million.

10. “What Happens in Vegas,” $1.7 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

The animated feature nabed $60 million this past weekend.

Turns out you don’t mess with a panda who knows kung fu.

DreamWorks Animation and Paramount’s “Kung Fu Panda” easily won the weekend box office, grossing an estimated $60 million from 4,114 theaters and delivering the best opening ever for a DreamWorks Animation original pic after the “Shrek” sequels. Only toon to have opened higher was “Shrek the Third” ($121.6 million).

That didn’t mean there wasn’t plenty left over for Sony’s Adam Sandler laffer “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan.” Irreverent PG-13 comedy opened to an estimated $40 million from 3,462 runs, further solidifying Sandler’s reputation for turning out consistent B.O. hits.

Elsewhere, New Line and Warner Bros.’ “Sex and the City” all but jumped the $100 million mark at the domestic box office in only its second weekend, although it still saw a sizeable decline of 63% to an estimated $22.8 million from 4,190 runs for a cume of $99.3 million.

Paramount’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” crossed the $250 million mark at the B.O. and narrowly beat out “Sex and the City” to come in No. 3. Tentpole declined 49% to an estimated $22.8 million from 4,190 screens in its third frame for a cume of $253 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “Kung Fu Panda,” $60 million.

2. “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan,” $40 million.

3. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” $22.8 million.

4. “Sex and the City,” $21.3 million.

5. “The Strangers,” $9.3 million.

6. “Iron Man,” $7.5 million.

7. “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” $5.5 million.

8. “What Happens in Vegas,” $3.4 million.

9. “Baby Mama,” $780,000

10. “Made Of Honor,” $775,000.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

Carrie and the gang had all the ladies flocking to theaters this past weekend.

In an unprecedented takeover of the box office by women, Warner Bros. and New Line’s “Sex and the City” grossed an estimated $55.7 million — racking up the best opening ever for an R-rated comedy and beating holdover “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” for the weekend crown.
The film’s unexpected boffo performance mystified Hollywood and shattered the decades-old thinking that females — particularly older ones –can’t fuel the sort of big opening often enjoyed by a male-driven event pic or family movie.

No romantic comedy, of whatever rating, has opened to such numbers, prompting immediate talk of a sequel.

Nor was it a matter of Paramount’s “Crystal Skull” underperforming in its second sesh. The Steven Spielberg-directed tentpole, jumping the $200 million mark over the weekend, is tapping into the lucrative family market.

“Crystal Skull” declined a respectable 54% in its second frame to an estimated $46 million from 4,264 runs; cume is $216.9 million. While “Sex and the City” had an enormous Friday — $26.9 million — “Crystal Skull” beat out the romantic comedy on Saturday and is expected to have done the same on Sunday.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “Sex and the City,” $55.7 million.

2. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” $46 million.

3. “The Strangers,” $20.7 million.

4. “Iron Man,” $14 million.

5. “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” $13 million.

6. “What Happens in Vegas,” $6.9 million.

7. “Baby Mama,” $2.2 million.

8. “Speed Racer,” $2.1 million.

9. “Made of Honor,” $2 million.

10. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” $1 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull“ is looking to become the second-best Memorial Day opener ever, with an estimated four-day gross of $126 million from 4,260 runs.

Including Thursday’s haul, “Crystal Skull’s” five-day opening gross looks to nab a hefty $151 million, according to Paramount, which is distributing the film for George Lucas’ LucasFilms.

“Crystal Skull’s” strong box office debut marks a triumphant return for the action-adventure franchise.

Tentpole stars Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf, Karen Allen and Ray Winstone.

Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” opened last year at the same time and continues to hold the record for best Memorial Day opener, grossing $139.8 million for the four-day holiday.

“Crystal Skull” was able to edge out 20th Century Fox’s “X Men: The Last Stand,” which posted a four-day Memorial Day gross of $122.8 million in 2006.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” $56.6 million.

2. “Iron Man,” $31.2 million.

3. “What Happens in Vegas,” $13.9 million.

4. “Speed Racer,” $7.6 million.

5. “Baby Mama,” $4.6 million.

6. “Made of Honor,” $4.5 million.

7. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” $2.5 million.

8. “Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,” $1.8 million.

9. “The Forbidden Kingdom,” $1 million.

10. “The Visitor,” $687,000.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

As exepexted, the The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was the #1 film this past weekend.

Walt Disney sequel “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” easily won the weekend box office in grossing an estimated $56.6 million from 3,929 theaters in a strong, but not spectacular, start.

The adventure-fantasy, reteaming Andrew Adamson with the cast of the first film, wasn’t able to match the $65.5 million opening of “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Family films can start out slow, but have playability. “Caspian,” which drew an A CinemaScore, hopes for just that, even with Steven Spielberg’s PG-13 “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” opening on May 22. (“Indiana Jones” preemed at the Cannes Film Fest on Sunday.)

In its second weekend, Warner Bros.’ “Speed Racer” didn’t seem to fall in that category of family pics showing muscle. Film, a disappointment, declined a steep 59% in its second frame to an estimated $7.6 million from 3,606 runs for a cume of $29.8 million in its first 10 days, according to Rentrak.

There is no doubt that “Prince Caspian” came in slightly below industry expectations, which had the sequel opening at least as high as the first. Overall, the weekend was down a hefty 27% from the same weekend last year when “Shrek the Third” led with a $121.6 million bow.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” $56.6 million.

2. “Iron Man,” $31.2 million.

3. “What Happens in Vegas,” $13.9 million.

4. “Speed Racer,” $7.6 million.

5. “Baby Mama,” $4.6 million.

6. “Made of Honor,” $4.5 million.

7. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” $2.5 million.

8. “Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,” $1.8 million.

9. “The Forbidden Kingdom,” $1 million.

10. “The Visitor,” $687,000.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]

Speed Racer performed below expectations given their big budget production. 

“Speed Racer” sputtered through its first lap at the box office, as Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow’s $100 million-plus tentpole bowed to a very weak $20.2 million.
Studio estimate puts the pic just barely ahead of Fox’s “What Happens in Vegas.” Modestly budgeted comedy opened a bit ahead of expectations, grossing $20 million at 3,215 theaters for a per play average of $6,221.

Marvel and Paramount’s “Iron Man” kept soaring on its second frame, dropping just 49% to $50.5 million. Relatively strong dropoff after a huge $99 million bow puts the superhero pic at a domestic cume of $177.1 million. Average this weekend was $12,284 at 4,111 locations.

“Speed Racer” got just $5,605 on average from its 3,606 racetracks. Final gross was well below already soft industry estimates for what Warners had hoped would be a summer blockbuster. Pic ended up playing primarily to families with young kids.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “Iron Man,” $50.5 million.

2. “Speed Racer,” $20.2 million.

3. “What Happens in Vegas,” $20 million.

4. “Made of Honor,” $7.6 million.

5. “Baby Mama,” $5.8 million.

6. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” $3.8 million.

7. “Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,” $3.2 million.

8. “The Forbidden Kingdom,” $1.9 million.

9. “Nim’s Island,” $1.3 million.

10. “Redbelt,” $1.1 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]