Looks like the DreamWorks Animation slump is over. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted debuted on top with a strong $60.3 million, for a per-theater average of an excellent $14,166 from around 8,300 screens at an ultra-wide 4,258 theaters (45% of business came from 3D showings). Yes, that was just short of Escape 2 Africa's $63.1 million opening (and attendance was even less with 3D surcharges), but considering the fact that recent animated sequels opened at a much smaller percentage of their predecessors, it is remarkable that this got very close. With no flicks available for kids since late April, it seemed imminent that Madagascar 3 would open big, but not this big. But even with a 3 and a half year wait, the franchise still has remained relevant with video games and the hit Penguins of Madagascar TV series on Nickelodeon, which may have made this a must-see. Its' opening weekend and Friday-to-weekend multiplier are about the same as Kung Fu Panda, though with Brave opening in two weeks, this film may not reach that films' $215 million final gross, but stronger weekdays should at least guarantee it beating Escape 2 Africa's $180 million final gross.
The rare threequel that lived up to its' predecessors dominated the overseas market with a huge $75.5 million from just 28 markets. Critical reception was positive (76% on Rotten Tomatoes), while audiences gave it a glowing "A" CinemaScore, which could signal a strong hold next weekend. It was produced for $145 million by distributor Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks Animation, and they had originally forecasted a debut of $45 million.
It was expected to come out on top this weekend, but Ridley Scott's highly-anticipated sci-fi adventure/prequel Prometheus ended up in second place with $51.05 million, averaging a strong $15,032 from around 7,300 screens at 3,396 theaters (54% of business came from 3D showings). That is a strong opening for an R-rated sci-fi pic, and it landed at the high-end of industry expectations. It was also the director's second-biggest opening of his career, behind Hannibal's $58 million opening. One thing to note about this is that the weekend was very front-loaded (as usual for a sci-fi flick), as Saturday dipped 25% from Friday, and even though it earned positive critical reception, its' not a good sign moving forward. Audiences gave it a "B" CinemaScore, and it has been extremely strong overseas by far, coming in second in its' second foreign round with $39 million (bringing its' worldwide total to past $140 million). Distributor 20th Century Fox produced the film for $130 million, and had projected a debut near $40 million.
Following its' strong debut last weekend, Snow White and the Huntsman slid to third place and cascaded 59% to $23.1 million, for a $98.5 million gross in 10 days. It will become the ninth movie of 2012 to cross the $100 million mark domestically tomorrow, and is on par with X-Men: First Class through the same point. Men in Black III fared a bit better, down 51% in its' third weekend to $13.9 million, for a $135.9 million gross in 17 days and will likely close in the $165 million neighborhood, marking the lowest-grossing entry of the series. The Avengers continued to play well, down 45% to fifth place in its' sixth weekend, earning $11.2 million and has earned a monster $572.3 million in 37 days.
The rest of the Top 10 wasn't impressive. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel held onto the sixth spot with the best hold on the list, down 27% to $3.3 million, for a solid $31 million in 37 days. What To Expect When You're Expecting held onto the seventh spot for a third weekend in a row, down 37% to $2.8 million, for an OK $35.8 million in 24 days and may just beat its' $40 million budget stateside. Battleship is officially this year's biggest flop, down another 55% to $2.3 million, for a pathetic $59.8 million in the same amount of time.
The Dictator didn't sustain well either, down 52% to $2.2 milllion, for a $55.3 million gross in 24 days. Independent release Moonrise Kingdom rounded out the Top 10 after being in 12th and 13th in its' first two weekends, earning $1.6 million at just 98 locations. The film also had the best per-theater average of the entire Top 10, a stunning $16,247.
In milestone news, The Hunger Games crossed the $400 million mark domestically today, marking just the 13th film in history to reach that mark. The book adaptation blockbuster came in 12th place this weekend (its' 12th frame) with $1.1 million, for a $400.3 million gross in 80 days.
Overseas, Madagascar 3 topped with a huge $75.5 million, bringing its' worldwide launch to $136 million. Prometheus was second with $39 million bringing its' foreign cume to $91 million and worldwide cume to $141 million. Just behind the Ridley Scott film in third is Men in Black III, which tallied another $38.3 million in 79 markets and bringing its' foreign total to a strong $350 million and worldwide total to near $500 million. Snow White and the Huntsman was fourth with $24.6 million in 52 territories, bringing its' foreign total to near $85 million and worldwide total to past $180 million. The Avengers rounded out the Top 5 with an additional $7.8 million from 54 territories, bringing its' foreign cume to an excellent $824 million and worldwide cume to nearly $1.4 billion.
The Dictator didn't sustain well either, down 52% to $2.2 milllion, for a $55.3 million gross in 24 days. Independent release Moonrise Kingdom rounded out the Top 10 after being in 12th and 13th in its' first two weekends, earning $1.6 million at just 98 locations. The film also had the best per-theater average of the entire Top 10, a stunning $16,247.
In milestone news, The Hunger Games crossed the $400 million mark domestically today, marking just the 13th film in history to reach that mark. The book adaptation blockbuster came in 12th place this weekend (its' 12th frame) with $1.1 million, for a $400.3 million gross in 80 days.
Overseas, Madagascar 3 topped with a huge $75.5 million, bringing its' worldwide launch to $136 million. Prometheus was second with $39 million bringing its' foreign cume to $91 million and worldwide cume to $141 million. Just behind the Ridley Scott film in third is Men in Black III, which tallied another $38.3 million in 79 markets and bringing its' foreign total to a strong $350 million and worldwide total to near $500 million. Snow White and the Huntsman was fourth with $24.6 million in 52 territories, bringing its' foreign total to near $85 million and worldwide total to past $180 million. The Avengers rounded out the Top 5 with an additional $7.8 million from 54 territories, bringing its' foreign cume to an excellent $824 million and worldwide cume to nearly $1.4 billion.
