Returning to theaters over 14 years after its' original release and almost 100 years after the ship's original sinking, the 3D re-release James Cameron's Titanic looks to be the likely victor at the box office this weekend. In its' original run, which had it top the box office for 15 consecutive weekends (a record currently not broken by any film yet), the film grossed over $600 million domestically and over $1.6 billion worldwide, becoming the biggest film of all-time (until Cameron's next film, Avatar, beat it just over two years ago). Based on buzz and limited availability on DVD, audiences are certainly going to see the epic romance/disaster film again. But, one things' for sure, a near repeat performance of its' original run is certainly not going to happen. 3D re-releases haven't been the best box office successes other than The Lion King ($30 million opening, $94 million finish), as Beauty and the Beast and Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace both only earned around $45 million in their re-releases. But with it already playing (it opened today) plus the higher popularity advantage, this re-release should easily beat Lion's, unless if it burns off serious demand from its' Wednesday opening. Now playing in 2,674 theaters, Titanic should set sail once again with $37 million over Easter weekend, with an additional $15 million from Wednesday and Thursday and $52 million for its' first five days. It should then go on to gross around $110 million domestically, with perhaps much more overseas.
Even with the famous ship going back into the water, there's still another new release, and its' also got nostalgia, but more on a series reboot kind of level. American Reunion releases eight years after the last installment American Wedding, which earned just over $100 million domestic and in line with the first American Pie, while American Pie 2 ended up with higher grosses. But regardless, Wedding was intended to be the end of a famous R-rated comedy franchise, with some independent direct-to-DVD installments over the last several years for die-hard fans. Usually series reboots or long-awaited sequels don't fare well, but the fanbase for the Pie movies is large enough that it certainly will at least finish on par with its' predecessors. Plus, with the exception of 21 Jump Street, there are no other R-rated comedies on the market until The Five-Year Engagement at the end of the month, so it should be able to get a strong opening. Opening in over 3,200 theaters, Reunion should eat up about $31 million worth of box office pie, on its' way to a finish close to $100 million.
The Hunger Games will mostlikely have to give up the top spot this weekend, as older teenage girls will be occupied with the return of Titanic. Daily sales have still been strong though, so a slightly better hold than last weekend may result. A 55% dip to $27 million for its' third weekend would give the action blockbuster a stunning $296 million in 17 days. Wrath of the Titans did get slightly better audience reception than the first, and the usual strong business on Good Friday should keep its drop from being too hard. A 55% slip would give the action sequel $15.5 million for its' second weekend, and a 10-day total of a lackluster $59 million. Mirror Mirror will round out the Top 5, and should hold well since it is the only new family movie on the market, despite The Lorax still being around, as family films usually do sustain well over Easter weekend. A 35% ease to roughly $12 million would give the fantasy comedy an okay $37 million in 10 days.
Here's a look at the rest of the Top 10:
#6: 21 Jump Street ($7.5 million, -49%)
#7: Dr. Suess' The Lorax ($5.5 million, -30%)
#8: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen ($1.1 million, -35%)
#9: John Carter ($900,000, -53%)
#10: Act of Valor ($650,000, -35%)
