Wait, is this really happening? Am I about to report some pretty good news about the box office? It's been weeks since I could honestly do that! But, it looks like Christmas has come early for the box office this year, and it received the gift of some big business over Friday, December 14. I Am Legend earned a stunning $29.5 million in its first day of release! Will Smith can add another notch to his belt of an already phenomenal career. I Am Legend will become his fifth $50+ million opening, and his eleventh $100+ million earner. It's going to blow past my prediction (and the industry's) and earn about $70-80 million this weekend. It looks like audiences were hungry for some action and spectacle in a tired, weak marketplace. I could shed a tear I'm so happy for the movie industry.
Oh wait, I take that back. What I meant to say is I could shed a tear I'm so sad for the movie industry. Much to my chagrin, Alvin and the Chipmunks had a great Friday gross as well. The adaptation of the 60's cartoon earned itself $13.3 million yesterday, which means it will also shatter expectations substantially. Look for a (shudder) $40 million weekend. I can't believe an animated chipmunk movie is going to crush The Golden Compass at the box office...
After these movies, though, the rest of the box office remained in pretty terrible shape, especially last week's champ. The Golden Compass fell hard this weekend, dropping a huge 68% from last weekend, only mustering up $2.6 million on Friday. Someone's losing their job at New Line.
Also, Atonement and Juno made the top 12 yesterday in only 117 and 40 theaters, respectively! This is the power of award nominations and positive buzz at work.
Friday Estimates for December 14
1. I Am Legend - $29.5 million
2. Alvin and the Chipmunks - $13.3 million
3. The Golden Compass - $2.6 million
4. Enchanted - $1.6 million
5. No Country For Old Men - $850,000
6. This Christmas - $750,000
7. Fred Claus - $720,000
8. The Perfect Holiday - $700,000
9. August Rush - $550,000
10. Atonement - $540,000
11. Awake - $410,000
12. Beowulf - $400,000
12. Atonement - $400,000
1 comments:
Will Smith:Box Office::Jesus:Lazarus. I Am Legend looks really promising, and I just watched the trailer for Hancock which might be a long way off but still looks dope, yo. I've never even said dope before, but Will's acting is inspiring me to get in touch with my roots. Word.
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