Last week I made the mistake of being too conservative with my box office predictions. This week, I was too liberal with my predictions.
The Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience had the best per theatre average of under $10,000. On any weekend, that’s a good average. But when you compare it to Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds – that film opened at $31.1 million and a per theatre average of around $45,000. This has to be considered a disappointment for Disney. All departments will be looking to see what they could have done better. Reviews do not matter for this movie. It knows its core audience, and that audience of young girls will drag their parents to the theatre so they can see it.
Madea didn’t have a strong hold from week to week, dropping about 60%, but it was still enough to keep it at the top of the box office. In 10 days, it has become Tyler Perry’s biggest grossing movie ever [It’s already made $64 million], and will probably fall a little short of $100 million. Lionsgate will be very happy with this film at the end of the day.
Slumdog Millionaire gained a boost after it’s 8 Oscar wins, as sales from week to week went up about 45%. It landed in 3rd spot, which is the highest position for it at the box office. This film reminds me of Good Will Hunting, as neither film made it to number one at the box office, but they were steady performers, had long runs, and made a ton of money. [For the record – Good Will Hunting finished with $138 million, Slumdog Millionaire stands at $115.1 million].
Taken crossed the $100 million mark this weekend, so that deserves a round of applause, and He’s Just Not That Into You rounds out the top 5.
As predicted – Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li had a weak opening outside the top 5, and it grossed $4.7 million.
Predictions:
1) The Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience – $47 million
2) Madea Goes To Jail – $20 million
3) Slumdog Millionaire – $14 million
4) Taken – $8 million
5) Coraline – $6.5 million
Actual Numbers:
1) Madea Goes to Jail – $16.5 million
2) The Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience – $12.7 million
3) Slumdog Millionaire – $12.1 million
4) Taken – $9.9 million
5) He’s Just Not That Into You – $5.8 million
Get excited everyone – the first “event” motion picture of 2009 opens on Friday. Get ready for Watchmen
