Re: 2008 at the Box Office
Weekend Estimates
(4-day estimates will be posted tomorrow)
#1 "Cloverfield" $41.0 million
#2 "27 Dresses" $22.4 million
#3 "The Bucket List" $15.2 million ($42.7 million) -22%
#4 "Juno" $10.3 million ($85.4 million) -25%
#5 "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" $8.1 million ($198.0 million) -28%
#6 "First Sunday" $7.8 million ($28.5 million) -56%
#7 "Mad Money" $7.7 million
#8 "Alvin & the Chipmunks" $7.0 million ($196.4 million) -25%
#9 "I Am Legend" $5.1 million ($247.7 million) -38%
#10 "Atonement" $4.8 million ($31.9 million) +13%
#11 "There Will Be Blood" $3.1 million ($8.2 million) +68%
#12 "One Missed Call" $2.8 million (24.4 million) -53%
Thanks in large part to the massive openings by both "Cloverfield" and "27 Dresses", the industry is in the midst of the biggest MLK holiday frame in history as the top top ten films saw a massive 43% jump over last year's holiday session, as well as a 40% bump over this frame in '06. "Cloverfield" and "27 Dresses" also established the year's top two biggest openings thus far.
Overall, the top twelve films pulled in a record-shattering $135.3 million, easily out-performing the $117.8 million 3-day portion of 2005's MLK haul to claim the top spot in the record books.
2008's year-to-date gross now stands at a very potent $599.2 million, marking a 12% increase over last year ($535.5 million), up 16% over '06 ($518.8 million), a stellar 22% bump over '05 ($493.3 million), and a 14% increase over '04 ($524.3 million).
Paramount's "Cloverfield" earned both the biggest January and MLK opening weekend hauls in history with its $41 million performance. That tally bests the eleven year-old record that had been held by the "Star Wars" Special Edition release which pulled in $35.9 million upon its opening (SW-SE still sold more tickets as its opening would translate to more than $53 million in today's marketplace). For the MLK weekend, the $41 million haul easily bested the $28.6 million launch of "Black Hawk Down" (more than $33 million today) from '02.
"Cloverfield", which cost Paramount only $25 million in production and marketing costs, pulled in a stellar average of $12,019 from its ultra-wide 3,411 theaters, which was far and away the best of the top twelve. The horror flick should have little difficulty in becoming the first '08 release to cross the century mark. A sequel is already being talked about with the storyline possibly focusing on the same night of events told from a different camcorder.
Regardless of where the studio, producer J.J. Abrams, and director Matt Reeves decide to go with the plot, all parties involved may have unleashed a new franchise upon the movie-going public. "Cloverfield" marks the first directing gig in 12 years for Reeves following his debut with the forgettable comedy "The Pallbearer".
Fox's "27 Dresses" also got off to a fantastic start as it pulled in more than $22 million. Not many believed the comedy would open this big as it tallied the tenth best January opening in history.
TOP TEN JANUARY OPENINGS
#1 "Cloverfield" (Paramount) $41.0 million
#2 "Star Wars" Special Edition (Lucasfilm/Fox) $35.9 million
#3 "Black Hawk Down" (Sony) $28.6 million
#4 "Big Momma's House 2" (Fox) $27.73 million
#5 "Along Came Polly" (Universal) $27.72 million
#6 "Underworld: Evolution" (Sony) $26.9 million
#7 "Coach Carter" (Paramount) $24.2 million
#8 "White Noise" (Universal) $24.1 million
#9 "Save the Last Dance" (Paramount) $23.4 million
#10 "27 Dresses" (Fox) $22.4 million
"27 Dresses" earned an impressive per-theater average of $7,336 from its 3,057 locations, which was the third best of the top twelve. Fox execs are expecting this one to have a very solid run in theaters during the coming weeks and possibly make a run at the $100 million threshold. The solid opening also does wonders for star Katherine Heigl's resume as she proved that her name above the title can open a film.
With two big hits under her belt ("Knocked Up" and now "27 Dresses"), many are now predicting that the actress will bolt the hit television series "Grey's Anatomy" (which earned her an Emmy award) when her contract expires.
WB's "The Bucket List" was off by only 22% this weekend as it has now tallied nearly $43 million. Look for a final haul in the neighborhood of $75-$85 million, giving WB and stars (as well as Oscar-winners) Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman a big hit to add to their impressive resumes.
Fox Searchlight's "Juno" continues to cruise toward the $100 million plateau. The film endured only a 25% hit to its numbers as its domestic haul now stands at more than $85 million. With the movie expected to snag major Oscar nods on Tuesday morning, expect this one to continue its leggy ways all the way through February.
Disney's "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" is about a day away from passing the double-century mark. Sony's "First Sunday" took a steep 56% hit and has earned about $28.5 million thus far. A final tally of about $40 million is now expected.
Overture Films first release, "Mad Money", got off to a decent start as it debuted with nearly $8 million. The comedy earned a so-so average of $3,117 from its 2,470 theaters. While not spectacular, the powers-that-be at the studio were encouraged by the film's 35% Friday-to-Saturday bump in business and are hoping for a sturdy run in the coming weeks.
Fox's surprise smash "Alvin & the Chipmunks" is about two days out from passing the double-century mark, with WB's blockbuster "I Am Legend" two-to-three days away from topping the $250 million plateau. Focus Features' "Atonement" continues to excel as it saw a 13% jump in business this weekend. The Oscar-hopeful (and Golden Globe winner) has tallied nearly $32 million since its release.
Paramount Vantage's "There Will Be Blood" and WB's "One Missed Call" round out the top twelve. "There Will Be Blood" saw a massive 68% bump in business, thanks to the film entering 260 more theaters, bringing its total to 389. The film, which boasts a powerful performance by Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis, enjoyed a per-theater average of $8,023, which was the second best of the top twelve.
Miramax/Paramount Vantage's "No Country for Old Men" expanded to 161 more locations this weekend, bringing its total to 818 theaters. The Oscar-hopeful saw a 10% surge in business as its total now stands at $48.7 million. The film has pulled in close to $50 million without the aid of being in at least 1,000 theaters. 'No Country' will expand further next weekend (to about 1,500 locations) to capitalize on its expected booty of Oscar nominations.
The Weinstein Company's "Cassandra's Dream" from Oscar-winning writer/director Woody Allen didn't register much excitement as it launched in limited play this weekend, finishing in the #24 slot. The film earned $501K from its 107 theaters, giving it a soft average of $4,682.
Next weekend will see four new releases hit theaters on the final weekend of a possible record-setting January. Lionsgate's "Rambo", Fox's "Meet the Spartans", Sony's "Untraceable", and Paramount Vantage's "How She Move" all get underway. "U2 3D" from National Geograpic Cinema Ventures will open in IMAX theaters on Wednesday.
Next week will not only see 'No Country' finally go wide, but WB's Oscar hopeful "Michael Clayton" also returns to theaters. It also hopes to capitalize on the Oscar nods its expected to earn on Tuesday. Both films were set to go wide this weekend, but were held back to the weekend following the Oscar announcements.
Look for "Rambo" to pose the most serious threat to "Cloverfield" for the top spot. "Meet the Spartans" is expected to have a solid showing as well as "Untraceable". The jury is still out on what to expect from "How She Move". Regardless, next weekend is expected to continue the industry's current hot streak at the box office.
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