Due to Hobbit's unexpectedly high plunge, this weekend will be behind last year...
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was #1 again, but plunged an unexpectedly high 73% to an estimated $10.2 million. While some people are out shopping and many fans have already seen the film, this high of a drop isn't a good sign going forward. With kids getting out of school yesterday though, it should see a bump on Saturday, so a second weekend of $34 million should be expected.
Jack Reacher landed in second place with an estimated $5.1 million, which is fine for an action flick opening at Christmas-time. It couldn't hold a candle to Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, but it did score a solid "A-" CinemaScore, which should set it up for a solid multiple. A $16 million weekend is likely.
Judd Apatow's This is 40 took third place with an estimated $3.7 million. While not impressive, the Friday number wasn't terrible either. As said earlier, its' too early to call it a disappointment since audiences will rush out more after Christmas Day. Reception was mixed ("B-" CinemaScore), and a $13 million weekend looks likely.
The two Wednesday releases, The Guilt Trip and Monsters Inc, 3D, continued to disappoint, landing in fifth and seventh place with estimates of $1.5 million and $1.4 million. Monsters Inc. should take advantage of kids being out of school and take fifth place with $6 million, while Guilt Trip will likely settle for $5 million and seventh place.
In fourth, DreamWorks Animation's Rise of the Guardians took advantage of the upcoming Christmas holiday, and was actually up slightly from last week to an estimated $1.6 million, in what will be a $7 million weekend. Lincoln was sixth with an estimated $1.45 million, down 25% from last Friday, in what should be a $5.5 million weekend.
In tenth, Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away earned an OK estimated $800,000, in what should set it up for a weekend close to $3 million. The movie expands nationwide on Tuesday, and should pick up business next week...
Weekend estimates coming tomorrow.....
