2008 at the Box Office - Page 84

Re: 2008 at the Box Office

Weekend Estimates

#1 "Four Christmases" $31.7 million ($46.7 million)
#2 "Bolt" $26.6 million ($66.9 million) +1%
#3 "Twilight" $26.4 million ($119.7 million) -62%
#4 "Quantum of Solace" $19.5 million ($142.1 million) -27%
#5 "Australia" $14.8 million ($20.0 million)
#6 "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" $14.5 million ($159.5 million) -7%
#7 "Transporter 3" $12.3 million ($18.5 million)
#8 "Role Models" $5.3 million ($57.9 million)
#9 "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" $1.7 million ($5.2 million) +3%
#10 "Milk" $1.38 million ($1.9 million)
#11 "Slumdog Millionaire" $1.37 million ($3.6 million) +44%
#12 "Changeling" $1.2 million ($33.9 million) -55%

The top 12 pulled in $156.7 million this week, marking the first time in history that the month of November has seen back-to-back weekends top the $150 million mark. These numbers helped this month to become the strongest November frame in the last five years (since "Elf" carried the session in '03).

New Line/WB's "Four Christmases" debuted in the top spot as it pulled in close to $47 million since opening on Wednesday. The film earned a stellar per-theater average of $9,571 from its 3,310 locations during the three-day portion of its opening. The $31.7 million three-day mark goes down as the second best for Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon (behind the $35.6 million launch of "Sweet Home Alabama" six years ago), as well as being the third best debut for Vince Vaughn as one of the two headlining stars behind 2006's "The Break-Up" ($39.2 million) and 2005's "Wedding Crashers" ($33.9 million). Time Warner expects the film to have little difficulty in ultimately passing the century mark.

After a softer-than-expected launch last weekend, Disney's "Bolt" saw a 1% gain in business this weekend. Thanks to very solid word-of-mouth, the film looks headed for a final mark of more than $100 million, just as the studio projected.

Despite taking a steep 62% hit in business, Summit's "Twilight" passed the century mark after its eighth day in theaters. The film has now tallied just under $120 million and looks headed for a final domestic tally north of the $150 million mark. Not too shabby for a movie that cost only $37 million to make.

Fox's Oscar-hopeful "Australia" got off to a bit of a lukewarm start as it pulled in about $20 million since opening on Wednesday. The film earned a sturdy average of $5,607 from its 2,642 theaters. Still, signs are pointing to a disappointing domestic run for the $130 millon budgeted epic.

Lionsgate earned decent numbers from the third 'Transporter' film this weekend. The movie pulled in $18.5 million during the five-day period and earned a per-theater average of $4,695 from its 2,626 locations. Don't be surprised if this one fades quickly from theaters though.

"Quantum of Solace" has now earned just over $142 million, 'Madagascar 2' has pocketed close to $160 million, while "Role Models" nears the $60 million plateau.

A pair of Oscar-hopefuls easily dominated the per-theater numbers as "Milk" earned $38,361 from only 36 playdates, while "Slumdog Millionaire" earned an equally impressive $27,898 average from its 49 theaters.

Next weekend should see the customary post-Thanksgiving weekend dip as three new films hit theaters. Lionsgate will release "Punisher: War Zone", Freestyle Releasing will launch "Nobel Son", while Sony releases "Cadillac Records". The industry is expecting "Four Christmases" to stay in the top spot.

Re: 2008 at the Box Office

You could be right, but the studio firmly believes the movie will perform well enough to get to the $100 million mark. Last year the studio released "Fred Claus" which got off to a disappointing start ($18.5 million), but legged its way to a solid domestic haul of just over $72 million. The studio believes they have a stronger film and feel that it'll end up becoming their fifth $100 million-plus performer of the year, joining TDK, "Sex & the City" (thru New Line), "Get Smart", and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (thru New Line).

Re: 2008 at the Box Office

Pete, if 'Half-Blood Prince' had come out this month than this would've probably marked the first time ever that the month of November earned more than $1 billion at the box office. If that had happened, it would've been the first time a month other than June or July had earned that kind of money.

David, it is the biggest percentage drop for a #1 film going into the Thanksgiving holiday frame. The drop was expected and the studio isn't very concerned, especially given the fact that the movie only cost $37 million to make and it has so far tallied close to $120 million after ten days in theaters.

Re: 2008 at the Box Office

From Variety...

'Quantum' still rules overseas
Bond film racks up fifth weekend win
By Dave McNary

James Bond stayed strong at the international box office as "Quantum of Solace" racked up its fifth straight weekend victory with $20.1 million at 8,755 playdates in 73 markets.
"Solace" managed to win easily even though it took a 50% hit as rivals began going head to head with 007 -- notably in Australia, where its second Australian frame slid 64% to $2.8 million to finish well behind a solid $5 million launch for Baz Luhrmann's epic "Australia." "Solace" also finished second in the U.K., off 47% in its fifth weekend to $2.4 million, while domestic winner "Four Christmases" easily topped the chart with $3.5 million.

Overall biz turned relatively moderate as the top five films -- including "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," "Body of Lies," "Twilight" and "Bolt" -- combined for $55 million. "Solace," which has kept Hollywood studios on pace to match 2007's record of $9.5 billion in overseas grosses, posted the lowest first-place figure since "Eagle Eye" led with $11 million five weeks ago.

Outside the U.S. "Solace" has totaled $340.1 million -- more than 70% of its worldwide cume of $482 million. It's shown longer legs overseas than domestically and joins "Mamma Mia!" as the only titles to win five international weekends this year.

"Solace" also scored $2.3 million in its fourth German frame and took in $2.1 million in its second Spanish session, declining 60%. Foreign cume has hit $340.1 million, led by $75.5 million in the U.K., $35.3 million in Germany and $30.1 million in France.

The weekend's other major contribution came from Paramount's "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" with $12.5 million at 2,364 in two dozen markets. The toon's Spanish opening led the way with $5.7 million, 54% higher than the original "Madagascar."

Foreign grosses for the "Madagascar" sequel have already hit $71.5 million, with 11 launches coming next weekend, including France, Germany and the U.K. Par's looking to tap into the same massive family audience that supported the original with $339 million outside the U.S. three years ago.

Warner Bros.' "Body of Lies" continued to bring in generally modest numbers, leading the rest of the pack with $8.3 million at 3,447 in 54 markets. The Leonardo DiCaprio starrer has totaled $43.7 million overseas -- about $5 million more than the domestic cume.

But domestic sensation "Twilight" put the bite on solid coin in its second weekend of a relatively limited foreign release with $7.6 million at 1,618 in 15 markets. Its Italian soph sesh declined 40% to $3.4 million, topping the $2.2 million launch of "Bolt" and leaving the second frame of "Body of Lies" in the dust with $1.2 million.

"Bolt" fetched a decent $6.6 million at 1,070 in three territories, led by $3.5 million in the surging Russian market. "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" has generated an eye-popping $40 million during its month in Russia.

The frame also saw Universal's "Changeling" take in $4.4 million at 1,040 in five territories, led by a $1.9 million U.K. opening in the territory's biggest launch of a pic directed by Clint Eastwood. "Changeling" has hit $14.1 million outside the U.S.

Re: 2008 at the Box Office

Friday Estimates

#1 "Four Christmases" $5.8 million ($58.5 million) 56% Friday-to-Friday drop
#2 "Twilight" $4.6 million ($129.9 million) 58% Friday-to-Friday drop
#3 "Bolt" $2.5 million ($72.3 million) 78% Friday-to-Friday drop
#4 "Australia" $2.3 million ($26.1 million) 61% Friday-to-Friday drop
#5 "Quantum of Solace" $2.2 million ($147.0 million) 74% Friday-to-Friday drop
#6 "Punisher: War Zone" $1.7 million
#7 "Transporter 3" $1.5 million ($22.4 million) 68% Friday-to-Friday drop
#8 "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" $1.3 million ($161.8 million) 78% Friday-to-Friday drop
#9 "Cadillac Records" $1.2 million
#10 "Role Models" $896K ($59.9 million) 58% Friday-to-Friday drop
#11 "Milk" $510K ($3.0 million) 2% Friday-to-Friday increase
#12 "Slumdog Millionaire" $385K ($4.3 million) 20% Friday-to-Friday drop

Re: 2008 at the Box Office

Weekend Estimates

#1 "Four Christmases" $18.2 million ($70.8 million) -42%
#2 "Twilight" $13.2 million ($138.6 million) -50%
#3 "Bolt" $9.7 million ($79.3 million) -64%
#4 "Australia" $7.0 million ($30.9 million) -53%
#5 "Quantum of Solace" $6.6 million ($151.5 million) -65%
#6 "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" $5.1 million ($165.7 million) -64%
#7 "Transporter 3" $4.5 million ($25.4 million) -63%
#8 "Punisher: War Zone" $4.0 million
#9 "Cadillac Records" $3.5 million
#10 "Role Models" $2.6 million ($61.7 million) -50%
#11 "Milk" $1.7 million ($4.1 million) +16%
#12 "Slumdog Millionaire" $1.4 million ($5.3 million) +5%

The top 12 pulled in a solid post-Thanksgiving weekend haul of $77.5 million, coming in about 6% stronger than last year's tally, but down close to 5% compared to this frame in '06. 2008's year-to-date domestic gross now stands at a stellar $8.942 billion, marking a 2% improvement over last year ($8.776 billion), up 7% compared to '06 ($8.391 billion), a stellar 12% bump over '05 ($8.038 billion), and 3% stronger than this frame in '04 ($8.662 billion).

While the overall box office is up, theater admissions continue to be down compared to last year. '08 has so far sold about 1.263 billion tickets. Past years saw '07 sitting on 1.276 billion admissions, '06 had moved 1.281 billion, '05 sold about 1.254 billion, and '04 was sitting on a massive 1.395 billion tally. '08 is only ahead of '05 in year-to-date ticket sales thus far.

New Line/WB's "Four Christmases" was off only a modest 42% this weekend as it retained the top spot at the box office. The comedy has now tallied just under 71% million and is clearly headed for a final mark of more than $100 million domestically.

Summit Entertainment's "Twilight" is closing in on the $140 million mark. Disney's "Bolt" took a steep percentage decline, but still looks headed for a final haul of more than $100 million. Fox's "Australia" suffered a 53% dip and looks to be fading fast. The studio will have to hope for a monster showing from this one overseas to recoup the film's $130 million price-tag. Sony/MGM's "Quantum of Solace" became the third consecutive Bond flick to pass the $150 million mark, despite the fact that the film is steadily losing box office steam.

DreamWorks/Paramount's 'Madagascar' sequel has now earned more than $165 million. Lionsgate's "Transporter 3" is fading fast, but has so far pulled in more than $25 million. Lionsgate released "Punisher: War Zone" this week to very disappointing results as the film barely drew interest from moviegoers. The film's pathetic average of $1,595 from its 2,508 theaters indicates a very short theatrical run. Sony's "Cadillac Records" got off to a good start as it earned $3.5 million, pulling in a very impressive per-theater average of $5,102 from its modest 686 locations.

Universal's "Role Models" has so far netted close to $62 million. Focus Features' Oscar hopeful "Milk" continues to do well in limited play as it took in $1.7 million from its 99 theaters (an average of $17.071). The same can also be said about fellow Oscar contender "Slumdog Millionaire" as it tallied $1.4 million from its 78 locations (an average of $18,026). Universal's highly touted "Frost/Nixon" debuted in three theaters this week and earned a $180K, resulting in a monstrous per-theater average of $60K.

Next weekend should see business really pick up as Fox's remake of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" opens in more than 3,400 theaters across the country and is the odds-on-favorite to dominate the box office. Freestyle Releasing will open the animated flick "Delgo", while Overture Films launches "Nothing Like the Holidays".

Oscar hopefuls "Che", "Doubt", "Gran Torino", and "The Reader" all open in limited release next week. Next weekend will also see both "Frost/Nixon" and "Milk" expand to more theaters.

Re: 2008 at the Box Office

SPRI's Quantum stays top in international with $20.1m weekend
Jeremy Kay in Los Angeles
30 Nov 2008 22:09



Bond stayed on top of his game as Sony Pictures Releasing International's Quantum Of Solace added a further $20.1m from 8,755 screens in 73 markets to raise the estimated tally to $340.1m.

The $482m worldwide running total will cross the half-billion mark by next weekend. The only new overseas release was New Zealand, where 007 launched 15% bigger than Casino Royale on $835,000 from 95 screens.

Leading the holdover business was Australia, where in the second weekend Quantum Of Solace tumbled 64% on $2.8m from 478 for $12.6m. The UK generated $2.4m from 864 after a 47% decline in the fourth weekend for $75.5m while Germany produced $2.3m from 1,011 after falling 45% in the fourth for $35.3m.

Elsewhere the action saga added $2.1m from 527 in Spain after falling 60% in the second weekend for $8.4m and raised the tally in France by $925,000 from 531 after dropping 47% to $30.1m in the fifth. Latest figures put South Korea on $10.8m, Switzerland on $9.1m, Holland on $6.6m, Brazil on $6.6m, Finland on $4.1m and Greece on $4m – all after four weekends. Sweden has amassed $8m after five and Mexico stands at $5.5m after three.

DreamWorks Animation's Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa added $12.5m from 2,364 sites in 24 territories for $71.5m and opened in 12 territories including a mighty $5.7m number one debut in Spain from 603 venues.

The family release opened top as well in Portugal and Colombia, grossing $740,000 from 75 and $722,000 from 154, respectively. It launched in Turkey on $510,000 from 122 venues. Madagascar 2 opens in 11 next weekend including the UK, France, Germany, Mexico, Switzerland and Argentina.

Warner Bros Pictures International's Body Of Lies collected a further $8.3m from approximately 3,447 screens in 54 markets for $43.7m. The highlights were a $655,000 number two launch in Mexico on 382 screens and a $432,000 debut in Brazil on 100.

Second weekend holds generated $1.2m in Italy from 355 for $3.5m, $935,000 in Germany from 427 for $2.7m and $825,000 in the UK from 393 venues for $3m. Elsewhere the spy thriller has grossed $6.6m in France and $5.7m in Spain after four weekends and $5m in Australia after eight.

Meanwhile Entertainment opened New Line's Four Christmases at the top in the UK for $3.5m on 475 screens.

Twilight grossed a further $7.6m through Summit International from 1,618 screens for $19.9m and has amassed $139.6m worldwide. The vampire romance sunk its teeth into nine smaller new markets and stayed top in Mexico on $1.6m for $5.2m and added $3.4m in Italy for $9m after two weekends. There was also a number one launch in Belgium. Full details will be released this week.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International's (WDSMPI) Bolt charged up 1,070 screens in its first three overseas territories, taking $6.6m in debuts that grossed 54% more overall than the combined launch in the same territories of Chicken Little and 20% better than Cars.

Russia led the way on $3.5m from 570 for the second biggest animated launch in history and finished 10% bigger than Ratatouille and took approximately twice as much as Cars.

Italy generated $2.2m from 379 while Poland produced $865,000 from 121, which was roughly 30% bigger than Cars and 250% bigger than Wall-E.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year added $3.6m from 4,227 in 37 territories for $133.9m and has now reached $35.8m after six weekends in the UK. The film scored number one launches in Argentina and Venezuela on $403,000 from 80 and $430,000 from 75, respectively. The Venezuelan debut was the biggest by any musical.

Wall-E stands at a little over $265m and great things are expected when it launches in Japan next weekend. The romantic comedy The Accidental Husband has grossed $3.1m in Germany while Saw V has amassed $10.6m from WDSMPI territories.

Fox International's grand epic Australia ventured into its first three territories of Australia, Trinidad and Jamaica and took $5m overall. The lead territory of course was Australia, where the film opened top on an excellent $4.9m from 645 screens to deliver Baz Lurhmann his biggest debut in his home country.

The action romp Max Payne added $2.7m from 1,400 screens in 21 for $40.1m. highlights included 814,536 from 238 in Italy and 149,628 from 35 in Belgium. No screenings took place in the Indian city of Mumbai due to last week's terrorist attacks.

Universal's Changeling added $4.4m from 1,040 sites in five territories through UPI for an early $14.1m international running total. The drama launched well in third place in the UK behind Four Christmases and Quantum Of Solace on $1.9m from 349 for Clint Eastwood's biggest debut as director.

The film held in third place in France in its third weekend after dropping 24% on $1.4m from 413 dates for $6.8m and added $900,000 from 225 in Italy for $3.6m after the same amount of time.

Death Race added $2.3m from 1,090 in 27 territories for $33.8m led by a German launch in fifth place on $700,000 from 199 and a Japanese debut on $750,000 from 226 that ranked as the biggest Hollywood film of the weekend. The action remake launched in Italy on $190,000 from 100.

Dark comedy Burn After Reading grossed $1.8m from 894 in 24 for $73m, powered by an outstanding number one $544,000 launch in Brazil from 108 that produced a career-high launch in the territory for the Coen Brothers. There are ten more territories to open including France and Belgium on December 10. Mamma Mia! added $500,000 from 600 in 30 for $425m and there is still Japan to go on January 30.

Saw V added $1.9m from 1,700 in 35 for $36.9m.

Re: 2008 at the Box Office

UA is hoping that all the heat Cruise generated from his performance in "Tropic Thunder" will translate to a strong box office performance with "Valkyrie". UA spent $135 million to make the movie ($75 million budget plus the $60 million spent on marketing) and they need this one to earn solid marks globally.

The film was screened for critics late last month and earned very high marks (much to the surprise of rival studios). Currently, the movie is tracking stronger than "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (due to a weaker than expected campaign that is said to have director David Fincher at odds with the studio), which some believe will struggle at the box office due to its length and subject manner. This could change during the next week or so, but the belief now is that the "Valkyrie" will open in the #2 slot on Christmas weekend behind "Bedtime Stories", which is (not surprisingly) tracking very well right now.

While "Lions for Lambs" ended up being a disaster, Cruise's previous seven films all topped the century mark domestically. His performance in "Tropic Thunder" (which earned him a Golden Globe nod) really put him back in the good graces of moviegoers and "Valkyrie" could very well benefit from that.

As things stand now, here is how some think the Christmas films will rank upon their releases (minus holdovers like "Yes Man" and "Seven Pounds" which will both likely land in the top five).

"Bedtime Stories"
"Valkyrie"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Spirit"
"Marley & Me"

Re: 2008 at the Box Office

David, the critics screening last month was said to have gone very well. The flick earned a solid review from the Hollywood Reporter ( Film Review: Valkyrie) and a negative one from Variety (Valkyrie Review - Read Variety's Analysis Of The Movie Valkyrie. I think the overall impression from critics will be mostly positive, but, as always, moviegoers will have the final word.