Weekend Box-Office | Movie News
WEEKEND BOX-OFFICE
Audiences loving their Avatar...
James Cameron's AVATAR continued to kick mighty ass at the box-office this past weekend, finishing atop all the other films, despite the release of 5 new movies over the past week. In fact, AVATAR only lost 2% of its audience from last weekend (it made $77M last week, $75M this week) and is now on pace to possibly surpass the $400M mark, if this trend continues (it's made $212M in its first 10 days of release).
Out of all the new releases, Guy Ritchie's updated SHERLOCK HOLMES managed to highest returns, as it opened in 2nd place with a very respectable $65M. The film actually set the record for biggest Christmas Day opening of all-time on Friday, as it scored close to $25M on that one day alone (the previous mark was $14.4M set by MARLEY AND ME just last year).
The sequel to ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS actually opened better than the original film back in 2007 (the original opened with $44M and ended up making an astonishing $217M!), scoring $50M in what actually turned out to be the biggest box-office weekend of all-time! (nice way to end off the year) The previous mark was set in July of 2008, during the weekend in which THE DARK KNIGHT was released, but this weekend, all the films managed $278M in returns, an all-time finish.
In the meantime, the film that everyone and their uncle Bob has been praising for weeks now, UP IN THE AIR, finally opened wide and managed to slip into the top 5 with close to $12M in grosses (which was about the same amount it had made so far in limited release). The other new release of the week, IT'S COMPLICATED, starring "your parents" Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin, managed a decent showing in 4th place with about $22M. Seems like there was a little something for every age group this past weekend (and next weekend as well, as all the same films will continue to vie for the top spot).
Despite dropping from 3rd to 6th place this weekend, THE BLIND SIDE actually gained 17% more moviegoers this weekend than last, and is now approaching the $200M mark (it's at $184M now -- the film only cost $29M to make). THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG might be the only film that one may describe as a "disappointment" this past weekend, as it dropped from 2nd to 7th place, but more importantly, lost the greatest amount of its audience from last weekend from all the films in the top 10, which was about 30%. The film has now made about $63M, which is decent, but apparently it cost about $105M to produce, so I'm not sure how that bodes for future Disney 2D animated features.
NINE could also be considered a "disappointment" (maybe even a flop?) as it opened in 8th place with only about $6M, despite costing about $90M to make. The films that dropped out of the top 10 this week include NEW MOON ($281M), A CHRISTMAS CAROL ($136M), BROTHERS ($25M) and OLD DOGS ($46M).
Next weekend sees no new releases, but no worries folks...we've got two polls to tide you over until then. First of all, what's your favorite movie to watch during the holidays (VOTE HERE for that one) and the big question of the week...what was your favorite movie of the year (VOTE HERE for that one)?
| 1. Avatar | $ 75 Million | $ 212.3 Million |
| 2. Sherlock Holmes | $ 65.4 Million | |
| 3. Alvin and the... | $ 50.2 Million | $ 77.1 Million |
| 4. It's Complicated | $ 22.1 Million | |
| 5. Up in the Air | $ 11.8 Million | $ 24.5 Million |
| 6. The Blind Side | $ 11.7 Million | $ 184.4 Million |
| 7. The Princess and... | $ 8.7 Million | $ 63.4 Million |
| 8. Nine | $ 5.5 Million | |
| 9. Did You Hear about... | $ 5 Million | $ 15.6 Million |
| 10. Invictus | $ 4.4 Million | $ 23.4 Million |
ACCESS BOX-OFFICE ARCHIVES HERE
Source: BoxOfficeMojo.com
3:31PM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
5:54PM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
1:28PM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The above numbers are US domestic not the whole world. As of today, worldwide: $615,168,000.
The above numbers are US domestic not the whole world. As of today, worldwide: $615,168,000.
1:00PM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
But on a lighter note... Alvin... really? Thanks for taking your kids to this
But on a lighter note... Alvin... really? Thanks for taking your kids to this shit parents! #3 on the way! Grrrr
3:11AM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I saw it a week ago with my family, and my Dad declared it the best movie he's ever seen, even beating out Star Wars when it
I saw it a week ago with my family, and my Dad declared it the best movie he's ever seen, even beating out Star Wars when it was released. I initially found this hard to believe, but given that they were both releases with unprecedented visuals which incredibly raised the bar... I may hold my tongue (granted Star wars obviously had a great story to accompany it while, as many have stated, Avatar is lacking in that department.. it's hard not to make that declaration when walking out from that 3D visual orgasm). Bravo Jim, Bravo.
2:19AM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
3:05PM on 12/29/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
1:46PM on 12/29/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
At any rate, you provided very sound arguments. I, too, hated Avatar's marketing campaign, and I'm definitely not the biggest fan of 3D, so I see your points. Thanks for the debate. I won't get as mad next time you hate on my precious Avatar! Dig your blog, btw.
12:12PM on 12/29/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
9:43AM on 12/29/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
My wife is a big fan of movies like Sex and the City and New Moon, so I see most chick flicks that come out. While they aren't my cup of tea, I can appreciate that they exist for people that aren't salivating fanboys and move on with my life.
An example: I think that "Percy Jackson and the blah blah" looks like shite, but it's not really meant for me. It's for the kids. I can tell you that if it looks as though I'm proven wrong about Percy Jackson and it has an 83% on the Tomato meter and my fellow Schmoes give it a 95%, I'll definitely check it out. Because I love movies...especially good movies.
If you're a movie fan, trust me, Avatar was meant for you! Unless you hated movies like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, Iron Man, The Dark Knight, King Kong, Aliens and other kick-ass, epic action/adventure flicks. If you didn't like any of these, you wont like Avatar. If you like any of these movies, or just like having fun at the cinema, I highly recommend Avatar. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
5:39PM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
3:25PM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
12:28PM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
8:38AM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
But good for you. Congratulations.
But good for you. Congratulations.
1:10AM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
11:30PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Also the only way to see Avatar is in 3D, best experience in a theater I've ever had.
Also the only way to see Avatar is in 3D, best experience in a theater I've ever had.
11:09PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
12:35PM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
10:38PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
10:34PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
9:33PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Personally, I'd like to see how much Avatar made on just regular ticket prices, with the inflated IMAX and 3D ticket prices factored out. My guess is that it would be roughly half to two-thirds of its current revenue.
Personally, I'd like to see how much Avatar made on just regular ticket prices, with the inflated IMAX and 3D ticket prices factored out. My guess is that it would be roughly half to two-thirds of its current revenue.
8:37PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
11:44PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
8:52PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
So even though you thought it looked like crap you still wanted it to do well? I'm confused by what you're saying.
So even though you thought it looked like crap you still wanted it to do well? I'm confused by what you're saying.
7:53PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
7:35PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
8:53PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
6:38PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
4:27PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
4:26PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
4:19PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
3:57PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I hope Cameron starts part 2 like ASAP!!! LoL
I hope Cameron starts part 2 like ASAP!!! LoL
12:52PM on 12/28/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
the story of avatar 1 is classic and self contained. I don't want to see it corrupted like the first matrix was.
but hey if he can do what he did with T2 or Aliens I'll be in bliss. I just don't want to sit through
Avatar II: The Corporation Strikes Back
the story of avatar 1 is classic and self contained. I don't want to see it corrupted like the first matrix was.
but hey if he can do what he did with T2 or Aliens I'll be in bliss. I just don't want to sit through
Avatar II: The Corporation Strikes Back
6:04PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
You're out of you fuckin mind if you think there isn't much story left to tell.
Even if it ends up taking place on another world, a sequel is still completely possible- and it will happen and be completely different from Avatar 1, but still true to it.
You're out of you fuckin mind if you think there isn't much story left to tell.
Even if it ends up taking place on another world, a sequel is still completely possible- and it will happen and be completely different from Avatar 1, but still true to it.
4:47PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I have a feeling he'll pick another moon if he cashes in for a sequel
I have a feeling he'll pick another moon if he cashes in for a sequel
3:49PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
6:31AM on 12/30/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
3:46PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
3:42PM on 12/27/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile