Despite strong performances, box office is still down from last year (but only by about 5%)...
Brave took the top spot on Friday with a strong estimated $24.5 million. That was just short of last year's Cars 2's $25.7 million opening day, though its' weekend was fairly front-loaded ($66 million). The latest hit from the animation studio recieved good reviews from critics and an "A" CinemaScore from audiences. With kids out of school, I think Brave will go a bit higher and reach $70 million for the weekend.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter took second place, but disappointed with just an estimated $6.3 million. The Tim Burton executive-produced flick will likely end up with just $16 million for the weekend, in line with the low expectations but still disappointing.
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted slotted in third place on its' third Friday, but it was able to hold on strong in the face of Brave. DreamWorks' latest eased just 39% from last Friday to an estimated $6.1 million, which is again, on par with Kung Fu Panda's third friday ($6.3 million), which would result in a $22 million weekend. Expect the threequel to finish the weekend in second place with $21 million, enough to now guarantee it to reach $200 million stateside.
Prometheus and Rock of Ages rounded out the Top 5, dropping 52% and 55% from last weekend to estimates of $2.9 million and $2.5 million. Ridley Scott's sci-fi flick should earn around $9 million for the weekend, while the musical should end up with $7.5 million.
Meanwhile, Seeking A Friend for the End of the World took 10th place on Friday with a stale estimated $1.3 million. The apocalyptic comedy should eke out just $4 million for the weekend.
Weekend estimates coming tomorrow afternooon...
