The first big holiday film of the season arrived this weekend to the tune of $30 million. The Jim Carrey Robert Zemeckis collaboration about the classic Charles Dicken’s tale took top honors at the weekend box office. The 3D animated movie made $30 million Friday – Sunday which was a solid debut, however it was below industry expectations. With the added cost of IMAX tickets and digital 3D features, this film had an advantage to rake in more cash. The one bright spot for this film is that it’s early November release will mean a long run through the holiday season. The IMAX version will be in theaters through the 17th of December when Avatar takes over on the 18th. For a full breakdown of the November 6th-8th box office read on!
Three years ago director Robert Zemeckis dove into the computer animated 3D world that was The Polar Express. He followed that with 2007’s Beowulf which featured the same animation technology. A Christmas Carol once again returns the Forrest Gump director to this style of film making. In this film Jim Carrey plays multiple roles including that of Ebeneezer Scrooge. With positive reviews for A Christmas Carol, Jim Carrey and Robert Zemeckis should have happy holidays ahead of them.
Dropping 43% in week two Michael Jackson’s This Is It raked in another $14 million. Sony originally had this as a limited two week engagement but the studio realized they could make more money the longer the film plays (Crazy, I know.) After two weeks MJ has made $57 million.
George Clooney’s The Men who Stare at Goats opened to a solid $13 million for the number three spot. The obscure comedy tracked well with adults who wanted another option than a 3D Christmas film this weekend.
Ironically The Fourth Kind dropped in at number four this weekend with $12.2 million. With a creepy trailer and true story premise, The Fourth Kind opened bigger than anticipated.
Rounding out the top five was Paranormal Activity which is about to cross the $100 million mark any day now. This weekend the low budget horror flick took in $8.2 million in its seventh week of release for a current total of $97 million. Let me remind you this movie only took $11,000 to make.
Next week the box office welcomes the disaster flick 2012 by Independence Day director Roland Emmerich.
Box Office numbers courtesy of Box Office Mojo.
