Thanksiving Good for the Box Office
The Thanksgiving weekend gave Hollywood plenty to be thankful for as the top dozen films took in $223.7 million from Wednesday to Sunday, the second best holiday weekend in history according to the Associated Press.
Twilight did not manage to stay atop the charts during its second week but actually saw a rather steep drop of 62.1%, taking in just $26,370,000 for a total of $119,688,000. Without merchandise revenue, the film is already profitable more than justifying the sequel but clearly the tween audiences have seen it often enough.
The top film proved to be Four Christmases with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon. The Warner Bros, comedy, the only holiday-themed film currently in release, nabbed $31,680,000. In second place was Disney’s Bolt, the well-received animated tale, taking in $26,596,000.
Fourth place belonged to Quantum of Solace, dropping another 27% and showing $142,056,000 after three weeks in domestic release.
Baz Luhrman’s Australia pleased crowds more than critics, roping $14,815,000 and a solid per screen average of $5,607 and taking fifth place.
The new film in wide release did less well with Lionsgate’s Transporter 3 taking in $12,330,000. Milk is in limited release had a terrific per screen average of $38,361.
Slumdog Millionaire, made on a miniscule budget, has gained word of mouth cred and has seen its audience grow, with total revenues of $3,565,000 while still in limited release. Other films saw varying drop offs with Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa dipping a low 7.4% and totaling $159,511,000 after four weeks. The other big drop went to Universal’s Changeling which fell another 55.2% and is rapidly running out time to make a connection for Oscar consideration.