Well, its' official, Tom Cruise is back. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol scored a strong four-day opening over Christmas weekend, tallying $29.5 million over three days and $46.2 million over the four-day Friday-Monday period ($13,402 average from 3,448 theaters), $62.3 million since its' Wednesday start and $78.6 million since its' limited IMAX opening. That's an impressive start considering the facts that Christmas Day is typically a dead zone at the box office and that Cruise's last few films have been disappointments. Produced for $145 million by distributor Paramount Pictures, the film recieved rave reviews from critics and has already earned over $160 million worldwide. This start also makes it well-positioned to beat III's final domestic gross ($134 million).
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows slid to second place in its' second weekend, and after its' underwhelming start, dropped 49% to $20.3 million over the 3-day, with $31 million over the 4-day for a $89.8 million tally in 10 days. Thats' over $50 million behind the original Sherlock, but the sequel is looking to make up ground over the rest of the week. But, crossing the $200 million mark is just about out of the question.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked held a bit better in third place, with a 46% ease to $12.6 million over the three-day period (it actually ranks fourth for the three-day), with $19.5 million over the four-day for a $56.5 million tally in 10 days. Thats' signifigantly behind the first two Alvin films, though the second-weekend hold was stronger and its' likely that it will continue to make up ground over the next week.
The next strongest release, foreign thriller book adaption The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was able to get solid results over the extended frame. The dark film earned $12.8 million over the three-day (ranking third on that term), along with $19.4 million over the four-day frame ($6,658 average from 2,914 theaters) and $27.8 million since its' Wednesday start. Thats' a good start considering the films' dark nature, but it was a bit behind expectations. The good news is that is has been given rave reviews from critics and awards season buzz could keep it holding well over the next couple months. The flick was produced for $90 million by distributor Columbia Pictures.
Meanwhile, Steven Spielberg's 3D-animated adventure The Adventures of Tintin got off to a slow start in fifth place, earning $9.7 million over three days, and $16.1 million over four ($5,215 average from 3,087 theaters), for a $24.1 million tally (including Canada) since its' Wednesday start. That was also behind expectations, but not entirely unexpected, as the character isn't very familiar in the U.S. The good news is that critics have been giving it positive notice, which could result in strong grosses over the next week, and its' already racked up an impressive $240 million overseas, so its' still going to be a financial success. The film was produced for $135 million by distributors Paramount Pictures/Columbia Pictures and 74% of the weekends' grosses came from 3-D showings.
Not far behind in sixth, We Bought A Zoo was also off to a slow start, raking in $9.4 million over three days and $14.6 million over four days ($4,685 average from 3,117 theaters). The three-day actual number was a lot stronger than its' $7.8 million estimate, partially due to the rebound the market saw on Christmas Day. The family flick (which when examined closer is more for adults) did okay even with all the competition around. And with overall positive reception from critics and audiences embracing it ("A" CinemaScore), it should be due for strong grosses throughout the week and could see strong legs into January. The drama was produced for just $50 million by distributor 20th Century Fox.
Just $80,000 behind Zoo for the four-day, Steven Spielberg's other major release War Horse, did remarkable business over just two days. The film galloped out of the gate to a strong $7.5 million on Christmas Day, which was enough to claim seventh place, and wound up with $14.5 million in two days ($6,114 average from 2,376 theaters). Considering how the other films underperformed and the low buzz this film was recieving, this is easily the most impressive start out of all the new releases, and gives it a promising sign for its' first official weekend next weekend. The film was produced for $70 million by distributors DreamWorks Pictures/Disney.
Sliding 55% to $3.3 million over the three-day and $5.2 million over the four-day frame, New Year's Eve continues to see better holds than Valentine's Day, but will be lucky to finish with half of its' total as it has picked up $34.5 million over 17 days and will probably end its' run at around $50 million.
Meanwhile, the last release, The Darkest Hour, came within expectations, taking ninth place with $3 million on Christmas Day and $5.1 million over two days ($2,182 average from 2,324 theaters). Obviously, this isn't a strong start, but it certainly will be boosted over the next week and weekend. The sci-fi action thriller was produced for $30 million by distributor Summit Entertainment.
Tenth place is a mixed bag. For the three-day frame, The Muppets eased 39% to $2.1 million and grossed $3.3 million over four days for a $77 million tally in one month of release and is also looking to get a boost over the next week. For the four-day, Martin Scorcese's Hugo tallied $3.3 million (fell about $40,000 short of Muppets on the three-day), for a $45 million tally in the same amount of time. Outside the Top 10, The Descendants also grossed $3.3 million for the four-day frame for a $33.6 million total in six weeks of release, and Arthur Christmas was lower than estimates, dropping 41% to $2.1 million on the three-day and $2.6 million over four days, for a $44.1 million tally in one month of release. The Christmas-themed film will likely be dropped by many theaters by the beginning of next year.
Because not all actuals have been reported, a graph isn't available this weekend....
