Re: 2009 at the Box Office
Weekend Estimates
#1 "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" $87.0 million
#2 "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" $15.3 million
#3 "Obsessed" $12.2 million ($47.0 million) -57%
#4 "17 Again" $6.4 million ($48.5 million) -45%
#5 "Monsters vs. Aliens" $5.8 million ($182.4 million) -32%
#6 "The Soloist" $5.6 million ($18.1 million) -42%
#7 "Earth" $4.18 million ($21.8 million) -53%
#8 "Fighting" $4.17 million ($17.5 million) -62%
#9 "Hannah Montana: The Movie" $4.08 million ($70.9 million) -37%
#10 "State of Play" $3.7 million ($30.9 million) -47%
#11 "Fast & Furious" $2.7 million ($149.8 million) -56%
#12 "Battle for Terra" $1.1 million
The summer season got off to a rousing start as the top 12 pulled in $152.2 million, marking the third best opening summer weekend haul in history. The $152.2 million tally trails only the $181.3 million gross from 2007 (thanks to the massive debut of "Spider-Man 3") and the $152.4 million haul from 2002 (thanks to the first Spidey flick's then-record opening).
After a record-shattering run in April, where the month earned close to $695 million (the best in the history for the month), May got off to exactly the kind of start the studios were hoping for as 2009 continues to pull in staggering numbers. The year-to-date gross now stands at a whopping $3.283 billion, representing a 15% bump over last year ($2.844 billion), up 18% compared to '07 ($2.790 billion), 21% stronger than '06 ($2.726 billion), and an impressive 26% improvement over '05 ($2.599 billion).
Despite leaking to the internet some weeks ago, Fox's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" was able to pocket the eleventh best May opening weekend haul in history as it tallied $87 million. The film earned a stellar per-theater average of $21,225 from its ultra-wide 4,099 locations, which represents the largest release in Fox's history. While the movie has been blasted by critics, moviegoers still came out in force to check it out.
Legs may be an issue in the coming weeks, but the $150 million budgeted flick showed more than enough muscle this weekend to launch Fox's 'X-Men Origins' franchise. Work should begin soon on "X-Men Origins: Magneto", as well as a sequel to 'Wolverine'. Even if the movie has short legs, it will still likely have a very successful run globally at the box office.
New Line/WB's "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" got off to a decent start as it pulled in just over $15 million this weekend. The rom-com earned a per-theater average of $4,827 from its 3,175 locations. Expect this one to have a pretty solid run in the coming weeks.
Sony's "Obsessed" took a 57% hit and has so far tallied $47 million. Look for the flick, which cost only $20 million to make, to top out in the neighborhood of $60-$70 million, making this one a very profitable hit for Sony. WB's "17 Again" has now earned $48.5 million. DreamWorks/Paramount's "Monsters vs. Aliens" is now sitting on a fantastic domestic haul of $182.4 million. DreamWorks/Paramount's "The Soloist" has pocketed just over $18 million.
Disney's "Earth" in nearing the $22 million mark. Rogue Pictures' "Fighting" took a steep 62% hit and has now taken in $17.5 million. Disney's "Hannah Montana: The Movie" passed the $70 million mark this weekend. Universal's "State of Play" has tallied just under $31 million thus far. Universal's "Fast & Furious" is now a couple of days away from passing the $150 million plateau.
Lionsgate's "Battle for Terra" rounds out the top 12 as it crashed and burned with moviegoers this weekend. The movie earned only $1.1 million, translating to a pitiful average of $916 from its 1,162 theaters. This one will try to recoup its losses on home video.
Next weekend will see Paramount's highly anticipated "Star Trek" hit theaters, along with Summit's "Next Day Air". The franchise reboot of 'Trek' is currently predicted to open north of the $70 million plateau next weekend, which would easily mark the best opening ever for the franchise. Reviews have been stellar and Paramount execs believe that this one will be one of the summer's best performers. We'll see what happens.
