Once again, The Hunger Games came out on top, and held very well for a blockbuster down just 43% to $33.1 million, and going past the $300 million mark in 17 days ($302.5 million in that time). That places the smash in 37th place on the all-time list domestically, and was the sixth-fastest film to reach the $300 million mark, as well as the first film of 2012 to hold onto the #1 spot for three straight weeks and the seventh-best third weekend ever. With no more competition for its' audience until The Avengers hits in May, there's a very strong chance the film could hold onto #1 next weekend (since the three new releases next weekend aren't tracking very well), and could see strong holds in the weeks ahead. While its' international numbers haven't been as strong, its' still picked up over $150 million overseas by far.
Meanwhile, debuting in second place, American Reunion got off to an OK start. The revival of the American Pie series debuted to $21.5 million, for a per-theater average of a fine $6,740 from around 4,400 screens at 3,192 theaters. That was the least-attended start for the R-rated comedy franchise (as the original American Pie, while debuting with lower numbers, sold more tickets). Still though, for a franchise that's been dormant for the last nine years (if you exclude the direct-to-video department), its' a pretty solid number when you consider that the fanbase is large for the film series even this many years later. It was also in line with the more conservative expectations of distributor Universal Pictures, who had projected an opening of around $20 million, while analysts were expecting at least the high-20's millions. Critical reception was mixed to negative, while audiences were mainly positive with a B+ CinemaScore grade. With no new R-rated comedies releasing until The Five-Year Engagement in three weeks, the film should at least hold decently over the next few weeks. It was produced for a modest $50 million.
It was largely expected to win the weekend due to its' strong buzz, but James Cameron's 3D re-release of Titanic debuted lower than what most analysts were expecting, despite opening close to the 100th anniversary of the actual ship's sinking. The second-largest film of all-time returned to theaters with $17.3 million in three days, for a per-theater average of a pretty good $6,488 from around 5,800 screens at 2,674 theaters (the exact same theater count of when it originally debuted in December 1997), and earning $25.6 million since its' Wednesday debut. For the three-day weekend, it was the least among recent 3D re-releases, including The Lion King ($30.2 million), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace ($22.5 million), and Beauty and the Beast ($17.75 million), though for the five-day period, it ranks second to Lion King. Still though, considering its' long 194-minute running time and competition from Hunger Games and American Reunion, its' a fine number and was in line with distributor Paramount Pictures/20th Century Fox's expectations, who had predicted a 5-day opening between $20 and $30 million. The conversion cost a small $18 million.
Wrath of the Titans dropped to fourth place, and fell 56% to $14.7 million, for a dismal $58.6 million in 10 days. That drop was on par with Clash's second weekend drop, but based on recent trajectories, it doesn't look like its' going to reach the $100 million mark domestically. But, worldwide numbers have been strong, with already over $150 million earned overseas.
Mirror Mirror slid from third to fifth in its' second weekend, but it actually held very decently, down 39% to $11.1 million, for a $36.8 million gross in 10 days. While its' $85 million budget is out of reach, it does look like that it is seeing some good legs, and could continue playing well for the rest of April.
21 Jump Street continued to show strong sustainability, sliding just 33% in the face of American Reunion to $10 million, for a $109.4 million gross in 24 days and slotting in sixth. It crossed the $100 million mark on Friday, becoming the 5th 2012 film to reach that barrier. Dr. Suess' The Lorax kept on playing well, sliding to seventh and 35% to $5 million, for a $198.2 million gross in six weeks of release. The animated megahit should cross the $200 million barrier sometime this week.
The remainder of the Top 10 wasn't impressive. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen continued to hold well, with a 22% ease to roughly $1 million, for a $4.7 million gross since its' limited opening a month ago. Another limited release, Housefull 2, debuted in ninth place (it's numbers weren't released until today) with a solid $847,000 despite virtually no promotion stateside. John Carter rounded out the Top 10 and dropped another 59% to $830,000 for a pale $68 million gross in one month of release.
Mirror Mirror slid from third to fifth in its' second weekend, but it actually held very decently, down 39% to $11.1 million, for a $36.8 million gross in 10 days. While its' $85 million budget is out of reach, it does look like that it is seeing some good legs, and could continue playing well for the rest of April.
21 Jump Street continued to show strong sustainability, sliding just 33% in the face of American Reunion to $10 million, for a $109.4 million gross in 24 days and slotting in sixth. It crossed the $100 million mark on Friday, becoming the 5th 2012 film to reach that barrier. Dr. Suess' The Lorax kept on playing well, sliding to seventh and 35% to $5 million, for a $198.2 million gross in six weeks of release. The animated megahit should cross the $200 million barrier sometime this week.
The remainder of the Top 10 wasn't impressive. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen continued to hold well, with a 22% ease to roughly $1 million, for a $4.7 million gross since its' limited opening a month ago. Another limited release, Housefull 2, debuted in ninth place (it's numbers weren't released until today) with a solid $847,000 despite virtually no promotion stateside. John Carter rounded out the Top 10 and dropped another 59% to $830,000 for a pale $68 million gross in one month of release.
Overall box office was up 6.5% from last year when Hop spent a second-straight weekend on top with a 43% drop to $21.3 million. Action thriller Hanna and 80's adaptation Arthur tied for the second spot in estimates, but ended up in second and third with $12.4 million and $12.2 million, on its' way to domestic grosses of $35 million and $30 million. Christian sports drama Soul Surfer debuted in fourth with a solid $10.6 million, and would eventually out-gross the other new releases in the long run, as it had strong legs and finished with nearly $45 million domestically. Horror flick Insidious rounded out the Top 5, defying horror film standards with just a 29% ease to $9.4 million, and finishing just $11,000 ahead of the other new release, R-rated comedy Your Highness, which bombed with $9.36 million. It would go on to become one of the years' biggest bombs, crashing to a finish close to $20 million...
Here is the final Top 10:
# Movie Final Numbers Studio Estimates My Predictions
1 The Hunger Games $33,111,557 $33,500,000 $27,000,000
2 American Reunion $21,514,080 $21,500,000 $31,000,000
3 Titanic (3D) $17,285,453 $17,350,000 $37,000,000
4 Wrath of the Titans $14,732,121 $15,010,000 $15,500,000
5 Mirror Mirror $11,095,140 $11,000,000 $12,000,000
6 21 Jump Street $10,001,381 $10,200,000 $7,500,000
7 Dr. Suess' The Lorax $5,030,025 $5,000,000 $5,500,000
8 Salmon Fishing in the Yemen $992,428 $975,000 $1,100,000
9 Housefull 2 $847,132 ---- ----
10 John Carter $830,305 $820,000 $900,000
