The results are in and the Michael Jackson documentary This Is It has opened on Wednesday with 7.4 million. That number includes 2.2 million that it made on Tuesday night screenings. That puts This Is It on track to make in the range of 32-36 million over the opening five days. Industry expectations were all over the board. On the low side was around a 10 million opening day but that extended all the way up to some predictions of a five day take larger than that of The Dark Knight. While ...

The first indication that the Saw franchise is vulnerable has arrived. The previous sequels all opened with 30-34 million however after Friday's take Saw VI looks to finish up the weekend with about 18 million. The relatively low budget makes this still a very profitable venture but a disappointment because the majority of the money the picture will make will come in the first eight days. Not only did Saw VI drop significantly, for the first time it won't be #1 at the box office. Paranorm...

This is shaping up to be a huge weekend for the movie industry. All three major releases and the expansion of another would be considered successes based on their Friday take. Where the Wild Things Are opened big on Friday with a take of 12 million. The usual 3X multiplier would be a little on the low side considering the demo the movie appeals to and the relatively good word of mouth the film is receiving. WTWTA looks as though it will finish the weekend with about 38 million which is ri...

Couples Retreat exceeded industry (and my own) expectations this weekend pulling in right around 34 million. Despite poor reviews and mediocre audience response the comedy was marketable enough to draw big on its opening weekend. Long term the outlook isn't as bright, but for a movie that reportedly cost 70 million to make it will end up in the black. For my review of Couples Retreat click here. Even more remarkable than what Couples Retreat achieved, the ultra-low budget Paranormal Activ...

As expected Zombieland opened big on Friday raking in 9.4 million. That is slightly above industry expectations which had the movie finishing the weekend in the 18-20 range. The first day totals should represent a higher percent of its weekend take than the norm as the opening Friday night is always the heaviest for a movie such as this. However good word of mouth will keep it solid through the weekend and going forward. Zombieland will complete the weekend with about 24 million very close t...

It was Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, not one of the new releases, that topped the box office for the weekend of 9/25. Meatballs dropped a remarkably low 20% from last week to haul in 24.6 million and take the crown for consecutive weeks. Family targeted pictures generally drop off less than other genres, but a lack of competition along with the 3D and IMAX hauls made for an especially strong second weekend. Coming in second was the Bruce Willis vehicle Surrogates which pulled in 15 m...

The box office numbers are in for Friday September 18th and as expected Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs has come out on top pulling in 8 million. Considering Friday was a school day and the increased prices and demand seen with 3D offerings the average 3x Friday multiplier will likely be on the low side. For the weekend Meatballs will make close to 30 million. In a slight upset it is The Informant! that comes in second beating out Jennifer's Body. The Informant! made 3.7 million while J...