This weekend felt as though it represented the unofficial kick-off for the holiday movie season. As expected A Christmas Carol will come in first place as it made 9 million on Friday. Featuring Jim Carrey voicing multiple characters and boosted by 3D theaters it now looks to be headed towards about 32 million for the weekend. That is below industry expectations which were pegged to be around 40 million and even below my tempered prediction of 36. Ultimately it may be a little early for a Christmas themed offering and the animation style continues to be a turn-off for some.
The Fourth Kind made 5 million yesterday and The Men Who Stare at Goats pulled in 4.5 million. Goats will be the stronger draw through the weekend and should finish up with about 14 million. The Fourth Kind will end up making about 12 million. The final new release was The Box which made 3 million which should lead it to an opening of close to 9 million.
While A Christmas Carol came in slightly lower than expectations the other three films actually drew a little stronger than most had thought they would. Next week brings the big event movie 2012 which is believed to open with at least 60 million. Despite that A Christmas Carol should have good legs though Thanksgiving and will eventually cross the 100 million mark.