Box office is looking to be up once again...
The Hunger Games is definitely going to be the years' first film to hold the top spot for three weeks straight. Easing a light 32% from last Friday, the book adaptation earned an estimated $12.9 million, which defies expectations for a blockbuster and explains that word-of-mouth is getting around. Good Friday normally does boost grosses for films since people are off work, and Easter Sunday normally has a bit of a sharper decline than a normal Sunday does, so its' a bit difficult to see where this will end up. But based on recent trajectories, I think a $35 million weekend sounds about right.
American Reunion starts off in second, but got off to a slower start than expected with an estimated $9.2 million. Still though, since it is reviving a long-dormant franchise, this is actually not a bad start at all. Based on recent trajectories for R-rated comedies, the fourquel is headed for a $24 million weekend.
Titanic 3D was largely expected to be on top due to strong buzz, but unfortunately, that may have been inflated from its' fanbase as it ended up in third place with an estimated $7.1 million. That was lower than expected, and was below the first Fridays of The Lion King and Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace's 3D re-releases. However, one has to remember that it opened on Wednesday (earning $8 million in the two-day period) and probably burned off some demand. Right now, I'd expect a $17 million three-day weekend for a $25 million tally in five days.
Wrath of the Titans dropped 55% to fourth place with an estimated $5.4 million, which is a better hold than Clash but it was probably boosted by Good Friday. A $15 million weekend looks to be in store. Mirror Mirror rounded out the Top 5 with a solid hold, down just 22% to an estimated $4.6 million, in what should be a $13 million second weekend.
In milestone news, 21 Jump Street became the years' fifth movie to cross the $100 million mark domestically on Friday, and was down just 20% to an estimated $3.6 million coming in sixth place. Dr. Suess' The Lorax followed with an 11% increase to an estimated $2.3 million, again due to kids being off for Spring Break. The action comedy should reach $10 million, while the animated hit is looking at close to $7 million in its' sixth weekend.
Weekend estimates to be posted tomorrow night...
