Re: 2009 at the Box Office
Weekend Estimates
#1 "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" $53.5 million
#2 "Terminator Salvation" $43.0 million ($56.4 million)
#3 "Star Trek" $22.0 million ($183.6 million) -49%
#4 "Angels & Demons" $21.4 million ($81.5 million) -54%
#5 "Dance Flick" $11.1 million
#6 "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" $7.8 million ($163.1 million) -47%
#7 "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" $3.7 million ($45.9 million) -44%
#8 "Obsessed" $2.0 million ($65.9 million) -56%
#9 "Monsters vs. Aliens" $1.3 million ($193.0 million) -58%
#10 "17 Again" $1.0 million ($60.3 million) -70%
#11 "The Soloist" $823K ($29.2 million) -66%
#12 "Next Day Air" $600K ($8.9 million) -73%
The Memorial Day holiday frame got off to a very good start as the three-day portion of the weekend pulled in just over $168 million, good enough to be the fourth best in history. The four-day estimates will be released tomorrow. The $168.3 million haul came in just ahead of last year's numbers (when Indy IV topped the charts), but was about 15% behind this frame in '07 (when Pirates 3 was launched).
2009's massive year-to-date domestic total now stands at $3.888 billion, representing a 14% bump compared to both last year ($3.398 billion) and '07 ($3.403 billion), up 21% over '06 ($3.203 billion), and 25% stronger than '05 ($3.101 billion). By the end of next weekend, the year-to-date domestic gross will have likely passed the $4 billion mark, adding yet another speed record to 2009's growing list of accomplishments.
Fox's "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" topped the box office this weekend as it gave star Ben Stiller the biggest live-action opening haul of his career. The sequel opened $23 million stronger than its predecessor ($30.4 million) and Fox is expecting a very long and lucrative run for this one despite the critical drubbing it has been taking. The sequel earned a solid average $13,062 from its 4,096 theaters, as well as pocketing nearly $51 million from its overseas debut. While the jury is still out on whether or not the movie will earn the previous film's near $251 million domestic haul.
WB/Sony's "Terminator Salvation" pulled in more than $43 million this weekend ($56.4 million counting Thursday's tally). The haul came in below tracking and many were quick to pounce to say the debut was disappointing and disastrous. T4 opened with a bit less strength than the last film did ($44.0 million), earning a sturdy per-theater average of $12,184 from its 3,530 locations. While T4 will more than likely go on to cross the century mark, the movie will no doubt be the least successful of the franchise. Still, the two studios (WB paid $50 million for the domestic rights, while Sony paid $75 million to handle the overseas theatrical run) are expecting far stronger results from the movie's international run (which begins in a couple of weeks).
Paramount's "Star Trek" continues to pack theaters as it took a moderate 49% dip this weekend. The movie has so far tallied a stellar $183.6 million and will have passed the double-century mark. Paramount execs are confident that the movie has a legit shot at ultimately passing the triple-century plateau.
Sony's "Angels & Demons" lost 54% of its business (which is a lot less than most thought) and has now earned $81.5 million. Worldwide, the sequel has now earned just under $200 million. Paramount's "Dance Flick" got off to a decent start as it opened with more than $11 million. The movie earned a mediocre average of $4,536 from its 2,450 theaters.
Next weekend will see Pixar/Disney's "Up" and Universal's "Drag Me to Hell" hit theaters. Look for "Up" to have an easy time topping the box office charts as May comes to a close.
