Happy Thanksgiving!!! Box office might be down still from last years' strong frame....
Early projections show that The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I is set to top the five-day extended holiday, grossing an estimated $12.3 million on Wednesday. We should expect that number to go down slightly on Thursday, then it should pick up over the weekend. By comparison, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I had a $14.5 million Wednesday on its' way to a $76 million 5-day. I'm not drawing conclusions yet, but right now, Twilight is on its' way to a $65 million 5-day.
Outgrossing all the family flicks, The Muppets grossed an estimated $6.6 million on Wednesday, which ranked as the fourth-highest grossing Thanksgiving opening day on record, behind Toy Story 2, Tangled, and Enchanted. By comparison, last year's Tangled was boosted by 3-D and grossed $11.8 million on its' opening Wednesday on its' way to a $48.8 million 3-day and a $68.7 million 5-day. If Muppets follows the same trajectory, it would see a $42 million 5-day. Muppets recieved an "A" grade from CinemaScore audiences.
Happy Feet Two followed in third place with an estimated $2.9 million on Wednesday. Holdovers usually see stronger multipliers over the weekend, so the sequel should eke out around $23 million for the extended period.
Arthur Christmas, the next strongest release, earned an estimated $2.4 million. Holiday-oriented films usually do stronger business over the weekend, so look for this flick to finish the five-day period with around $21 million.
The other new release, Hugo, earned seventh place on Wednesday, and earned an estimated $1.7 million on Wednesday. The live-action 3-D period drama has recieved unanimous critical acclaim, and should finish the 5-day holiday weekend with around $11 million.
Meanwhile, Jack & Jill, Immortals and Puss in Boots still kept on going strong, each grossing between $1.6 and $1.9 million on Wednesday, slotting in fifth, sixth and eighth places. All are currently tracking for 5-day weekends between $11 and $13 million. The other notable holdover, Tower Heist, is looking to make up ground with a $1.2 million Friday and hoping for a 5-day frame between $7 and $8 million.
Rounding out the Top 10, George Clooney's The Descendants expanded to nearly 400 theaters and grossed $1 million on Wednesday, and will gross $6-$7 million for the 5-day extended holiday.
Here is my first projections on how the Top 10 will end up over the 5-day frame:
#1: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I ($44 million 3-day, $66 million 5-day)
#2: The Muppets ($30 million 3-day, $42 million 5-day)
#3: Happy Feet Two ($17 million 3-day, $22.5 million 5-day)
#4: Arthur Christmas ($16 million 3-day, $21 million 5-day)
#5: Jack & Jill ($10.5 million 3-day, $13.5 million 5-day)
#6: Puss in Boots ($9 million 3-day, $12 million 5-day)
#7: Immortals ($8.5 million 3-day, $11 million 5-day)
#8: Hugo ($8 million 3-day, $11 million 5-day)
#9: Tower Heist ($6.5 million 3-day, $8.5 million 5-day)
#10: The Descendants ($5 million 3-day, $7 million 5-day)
Next update coming tomorrow.....everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
