By Leonard Klady Klady@moviecitynews.com
Next Can’t Happen Too Soon…
April 29, 2007
Weekend Finals
Domestic Market Share
The weekend box office buzz primarily focused on next weekend’s debut of Spider-Man 3 rather than anything with currency. And it was for good reason! Disturbia was for the third weekend the top grosser with an estimated $9.1 million and a quartet of freshmen releases failed to spark much audience interest.
The spooky teen thriller The Invisible ranked second with $7.7 million while another paranormal yarn –Next starring Nicolas Cage – followed at $6.9 million. Further down the list were The Condemned, a tale of prisoners in a survival game that grossed $3.6 million and the teen musical Kickin’ It Old School with $2.4 million.
The news wasn’t much better for niche and alternative fare though Bollywood’s Ta Ra Rum Pum opened well at $370,000 and there were good per screens for Jindabyne and Hong Kong import Triad Election. Otherwise there was barely a flicker for such varied fare as the thriller Wind Chill, American independentDiggers and fest favorite Snow Cake.
Overall business took a sharp hit again with weekend revenues inching toward $75 million. It repped a 16% decline from the prior frame and was 28% behind the comparable 2006 session when debuting entries RV, United 93 and Stick It topped the charts with respective box office of $16.4 million, $11.5 million and $10.8 million..
Weekend business was lower than any frame in 2006 and one has to reel back to 2005 to find a film that topped the charts with less than a $10 million gross. While box office for the year to date is 1.5% better than last year’s record, it was as high as 12% improved until April’s onslaught of mediocre performers.
So, all eyes are on Spider-Man 3 to provide a reversal of fortunes. Industry expectations are that the web spinner will ensnare at least $100 million in its opening weekend and as much as $125 million. While last year’s hopes for Mission: Impossible III were considerably lower, its $47.7 million opening salvo was also significantly below expectations.
Spider-Man 3 has considerable weight to lift following weeks of growing indifference to pictures that were perceived as second-rate are sometimes cynical rip offs of past popular entries. Among the debuting product, only The Invisible registered what could be considered an acceptable engagement average for a programmer with both The Condemned and Kickin’ barely registering a blip on the commercial radar screen. The inability of Cage to draw in audiences for a critically well received thriller was crushing forNext but, reviews aside, similar fates have befallen Perfect Stranger and Fracture in recent weeks.
While summer promises some strong Bollywood entries and Ta Ra Rum Pum’s performance certainly bodes well for crystal gazers, the past weekend’s niche entries were generally less favorably received.Wind Chill’s theatrical presence appeared to be fulfilling contractual obligations and the strategy of simultaneous DVD and HDNet launches for the likes of Diggers (and Color Me Kubrick in April) appears to be least impressive for movie theaters and unlikely to spawn commercial imitators.
Weekend Finals – April 27 – 29, 2007
|
–
|
–
|
Title |
Distrib
|
Weekend
|
% Change
|
Theaters
|
Cume
|
Wks
|
|
1
|
1
|
Disturbia |
Par
|
9,023,835 | -31% | 3047 | 52,109,598 | 3 |
|
2
|
New
|
The Invisible |
BV
|
7,717,309 | – | 2019 | 7,717,309 | 1 |
|
3
|
New
|
Next |
Par
|
7,133,049 | – | 2725 | 7,133,049 | 1 |
|
4
|
2
|
Fracture |
New Line
|
6,814,714 | -38% | 2443 | 21,075,259 | 2 |
|
5
|
3
|
Blades of Glory |
Par
|
5,164,364 | -33% | 3056 | 108,050,741 | 5 |
|
6
|
6
|
Hot Fuzz |
Focus
|
4,876,867 | -17% | 1272 | 12,601,055 | 2 |
|
7
|
5
|
Meet the Robinsons |
BV
|
4,840,972 | -30% | 2461 | 88,354,540 | 5 |
|
8
|
4
|
Vacancy |
Sony
|
4,112,502 | -46% | 2551 | 13,780,060 | 2 |
|
9
|
New
|
The Condemned |
Lions Gate
|
3,807,595 | – | 2310 | 3,807,595 | 1 |
|
10
|
7
|
Are We Done Yet? |
Sony
|
3,450,922 | -33% | 2701 | 43,868,838 | 4 |
|
11
|
8
|
In the Land of Women |
WB
|
2,657,425 | -44% | 2155 | 8,566,083 | 2 |
|
12
|
New
|
Kickin’ It Old School |
FreeStyle
|
2,541,419 | – | 1816 | 2,541,419 | 1 |
|
13
|
9
|
Perfect Stranger |
Sony
|
2,172,323 | -47% | 2197 | 21,590,618 | 3 |
|
14
|
10
|
Wild Hogs |
BV
|
1,840,994 | -35% | 1602 | 158,723,493 | 9 |
|
15
|
11
|
300 |
WB
|
1,387,466 | -38% | 1005 | 206,897,885 | 8 |
|
16
|
17
|
The Hoax |
Miramax
|
760,550 | -38% | 981 | 6,228,666 | 4 |
|
17
|
15
|
Shooter |
Par
|
751,524 | -46% | 718 | 45,787,042 | 6 |
|
18
|
21
|
The Namesake |
Fox Searchlight
|
721,024 | -5% | 320 | 10,771,198 | 8 |
|
19
|
13
|
The Reaping |
WB
|
712,294 | -57% | 933 | 24,064,624 | 4 |
|
20
|
14
|
Grindhouse |
Weinstein Co.
|
576,130 | -59% | 618 | 23,887,068 | 4 |
|
21
|
12
|
Pathfinder |
Fox
|
540,516 | -71% | 782 | 9,436,054 | 3 |
|
22
|
19
|
TNMT |
WB
|
492,467 | -49% | 710 | 53,051,256 | 6 |
|
23
|
18
|
Firehouse Dog |
Fox
|
463,494 | -55% | 659 | 12,689,837 | 4 |
|
24
|
New
|
Ta Ra Rum Pum |
Yash Raj
|
425,102 | – | 85 | 425,102 | 1 |
|
25
|
27
|
Black Book |
Sony Classics
|
391,356 | 68% | 103 | 1,174,583 | 4 |
|
26
|
16
|
Redline |
Chicago Pics
|
381,329 | -71% | 610 | 6,678,765 | 3 |
|
27
|
33
|
Year of the Dog |
Par Vantage
|
309,318 | 132% | 131 | 627,916 | 3 |
|
28
|
24
|
The Lives of Others |
Sony Classics
|
305,838 | -2% | 189 | 9,067,448 | 12 |
|
29
|
20
|
Aqua Teen Hunger Team |
First Look
|
265,716 | -69% | 363 | 5,265,735 | 3 |
|
30
|
23
|
Night at the Museum |
Fox
|
260,796 | -33% | 284 | 250,210,624 | 19 |
|
31
|
22
|
Premonition |
Sony
|
223,028 | -46% | 327 | 47,852,604 | 7 |
|
32
|
26
|
Ghost Rider |
Sony
|
186,578 | -22% | 283 | 115,802,596 | 11 |
|
33
|
25
|
Amazing Grace |
IDP
|
174,883 | -31% | 259 | 20,674,957 | 10 |
|
34
|
28
|
Norbit |
Par
|
170,972 | -15% | 220 | 95,323,496 | 12 |
|
35
|
29
|
The Last Mimzy |
New Line
|
147,812 | -20% | 279 | 20,520,225 | 6 |
|
36
|
32
|
Deep Sea 3-D |
WB
|
131,850 | -7% | 35 | 26,804,471 | 61 |
|
37
|
36
|
After the Wedding |
IFC
|
113,873 | 1% | 41 | 572,218 | 5 |
|
38
|
42
|
The Valet |
Sony Classics
|
111,313 | 65% | 16 | 205,511 | 2 |
|
39
|
35
|
Avenue Montaigne (Orchest |
Thinkfilm/Sevill
|
108,763 | -6% | 52 | 1,637,450 | 30 |
|
40
|
40
|
The Wind That Shakes the |
IFC/Christal
|
103,673 | 13% | 50 | 1,625,755 | 7 |
|
41
|
41
|
A vos marques … Party |
Christal
|
99,649 | 35% | 61 | 1,531,808 | 5 |
|
42
|
31
|
The Hills Have Eyes II |
Fox
|
87,803 | -39% | 149 | 20,506,614 | 6 |
|
43
|
30
|
Reign Over Me |
Sony
|
81,416 | -55% | 144 | 19,661,987 | 6 |
|
44
|
38
|
Miss Potter |
MGM
|
77,873 | -14% | 102 | 2,554,250 | 18 |
|
45
|
37
|
Music and Lyrics |
WB
|
72,941 | -30% | 148 | 50,437,750 | 11 |
|
46
|
39
|
Bridge to Terabithia |
BV
|
66,699 | -26% | 123 | 81,175,178 | 11 |
|
47
|
61
|
Zodiac |
Par
|
66,687 | 126% | 177 | 33,048,353 | 9 |
|
48
|
45
|
Roving Mars |
BV
|
60,210 | 16% | 12 | 6,929,991 | 66 |
|
49
|
51
|
Journey from the Fall |
ImaginAsia
|
60,100 | 34% | 13 | 498,000 | 6 |
|
50
|
58
|
La Vie en Rose |
TVA
|
59,202 | 71% | 38 | 1,438,763 | 7 |
|
51
|
57
|
Ne le dis a personne |
Seville
|
58,371 | 62% | 18 | 117,640 | 2 |
|
52
|
55
|
Moliere |
Christal
|
57,876 | 51% | 27 | 262,236 | 3 |
|
53
|
44
|
Magnificent Desolation |
Imax
|
52,133 | -3% | 10 | 18,884,901 | 83 |
|
54
|
50
|
Wild Safari 3-D |
nWave
|
47,154 | -1% | 8 | 12,930,355 | 108 |
|
55
|
43
|
Daddy’s Little Girl |
Lions Gate
|
44,840 | -27% | 105 | 31,554,898 | 11 |
|
56
|
49
|
Pan’s Labyrinth |
Picturehouse
|
44,249 | -9% | 67 | 37,457,946 | 18 |
|
57
|
46
|
The Host |
Magnolia
|
44,118 | -14% | 63 | 2,079,462 | 8 |
|
58
|
RE
|
Romeo & Juliet: Sealed wit |
Indican
|
43,308 | – | 27 | 293,701 | 6 |
|
59
|
52
|
The Number 23 |
New Line
|
42,490 | -2% | 134 | 35,626,798 | 10 |
|
60
|
54
|
Dead Silence |
Uni
|
33,996 | -17% | 78 | 16,662,897 | 7 |
|
61
|
New
|
Diggers |
Magnolia
|
32,867 | 17 | 32,867 | 1 | |
|
62
|
72
|
Quand j’etais chanteur |
Equinoxe
|
32,251 | 64% | 8 | 65,923 | 2 |
|
63
|
69
|
Happy Feet |
WB
|
30,095 | 33% | 93 | 197,961,083 | 24 |
|
64
|
48
|
The Lookout |
Miramax
|
28,758 | -41% | 54 | 4,587,858 | 5 |
|
65
|
New
|
Jindabyne |
Sony Classics
|
28,298 | – | 6 | 28,298 | 1 |
|
66
|
47
|
Pride |
Lions Gate
|
27,350 | -45% | 49 | 7,084,950 | 6 |
|
67
|
63
|
The TV Set |
Thinkfilm
|
25,876 | -7% | 19 | 146,359 | 4 |
|
68
|
62
|
Breach |
Uni
|
25,757 | -12% | 69 | 33,133,318 | 11 |
|
69
|
59
|
Sharkwater |
Alliance
|
24,853 | -21% | 30 | 572,941 | 6 |
|
70
|
New
|
Fakers |
Indican
|
22,750 | – | 7 | 22,750 | 1 |
|
71
|
67
|
Into Great Silence (Die Gro |
Zietgeist/Mongr
|
22,572 | -8% | 13 | 570,865 | 19 |
|
72
|
73
|
I Think I Love My Wife |
Fox Searchlight
|
20,975 | 22% | 49 | 12,505,467 | 7 |
|
73
|
82
|
The Italian |
Sony Classics
|
20,155 | 86% | 25 | 458,217 | 1 |
|
74
|
New
|
Wind Chill |
Sony
|
20,146 | – | 42 | 20,146 | 1 |
|
75
|
65
|
Because I Said So |
Uni/TVA
|
20,039 | -26% | 43 | 43,829,735 | 13 |
|
76
|
64
|
The Queen |
Miramax
|
19,510 | -29% | 33 | 56,402,097 | 31 |
| Source: Nielsen EDI; MCN | ||||||||
Estimates – April 27-29, 2007
| Title |
Distributor
|
Gross (avera
|
% change
|
Theater
|
Cume
|
| Disturbia |
Par
|
9.1 (3,000)
|
-30%
|
3047
|
52.2
|
| The Invisible |
BV
|
7.7 (3,820)
|
–
|
2019
|
7.7
|
| Next |
Par
|
6.9 (2,530)
|
–
|
2725
|
6.9
|
| Fracture |
New Line
|
6.6 (2,720)
|
-40%
|
2443
|
21.1
|
| Blades of Glory |
Par
|
5.1 (1,660)
|
-34%
|
3056
|
108
|
| Meet the Robinsons |
BV
|
4.8 (1,960)
|
-31%
|
2461
|
88.3
|
| Hot Fuzz |
Focus
|
4.7 (3,670)
|
-20%
|
1272
|
12.4
|
| Vacancy |
Sony
|
4.1 (1,620)
|
-46%
|
2551
|
13.8
|
| The Condemned |
Lions Gate
|
3.6 (1,570)
|
–
|
2310
|
3.6
|
| Are We Done Yet? |
Sony
|
3.4 (1,250)
|
-35%
|
2701
|
43.8
|
| In the Land of Women |
WB
|
2.7 (1,260)
|
-42%
|
2155
|
8.6
|
| Kickin’ It Old School |
FreeStyle
|
2.4 (1,330)
|
–
|
1816
|
2.4
|
| Perfect Stranger |
Sony
|
2.2 (1,010)
|
-46%
|
2197
|
21.6
|
| Wild Hogs |
BV
|
1.9 (1,160)
|
-34%
|
1602
|
158.7
|
| 300 |
WB
|
1.4 (1,350)
|
-40%
|
1005
|
206.9
|
| The Hoax |
Miramax
|
.77 (780)
|
-37%
|
981
|
6.2
|
| Shooter |
Par
|
.72 (1,010)
|
-48%
|
718
|
45.8
|
| The Namesake |
Fox Searchligh
|
.71 (2,220)
|
-6%
|
320
|
10.8
|
| The Reaping |
WB
|
.63 (670)
|
-62%
|
933
|
24
|
| Grindhouse |
Weinstein Co.
|
.56 (910)
|
-60%
|
618
|
23.9
|
| TMNT |
WB
|
.51 (720)
|
-47%
|
710
|
52.8
|
| Weekend Total ($500,000+ Films) |
$70.50
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|
| % Change (Last Year) |
–
|
-28%
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
| % Change (Last Week) |
–
|
-16%
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
| Also debuting/expanding | |||||
| Ta Ra Rum Pum |
Yash Raj
|
.37 (4,410)
|
–
|
85
|
0.37
|
| Jindabyne |
Sony Classics
|
28,700 (4,780)
|
–
|
6
|
0.03
|
| Diggers |
Magnolia
|
26,800 (1,580)
|
–
|
17
|
0.03
|
| Wind Chill |
Sony
|
18,300 (440)
|
–
|
42
|
0.02
|
| Sing Now or Forever Hold Your Pe |
Strand
|
16,100 (1,450)
|
–
|
11
|
0.02
|
| Triad Election |
Tartan
|
10,400 (10,400)
|
–
|
1
|
0.01
|
| Zoo |
Thinkfilm
|
7,200 (7,200)
|
–
|
1
|
0.01
|
| Snow Cake |
IFC
|
4,900 (1,220)
|
–
|
4
|
0.01
|
Domestic Market Share: Jan 1 – April 26, 2007
| Distributor (releases) |
Gross
|
Mrkt Share
|
| Sony (14) | 461.1 | 17.10% |
| Paramount (11) | 457.9 | 17.00% |
| Warner Bros. (16) | 443.7 | 16.50% |
| Buena Vista (11) | 345.9 | 12.80% |
| Fox (12) | 257.9 | 9.60% |
| Universal (8) | 202.2 | 7.50% |
| New Line (6) | 83.1 | 3.10% |
| MGM (9) | 78.2 | 2.90% |
| Lions Gate (6) | 56.6 | 2.10% |
| Fox Searchlight (6) | 54.5 | 2.00% |
| Miramax (4) | 41.4 | 1.50% |
| Picturehouse (2) | 37.1 | 1.40% |
| Weinstein Co. (5) | 24.7 | 0.90% |
| Focus (2) | 24.2 | 0.90% |
| Paramount Vantage (3) | 24.2 | 0.90% |
| Sony Classics (7) | 23.3 | 0.80% |
| IDP (4) | 21.2 | 0.80% |
| Other * (86) | 59.8 | 2.20% |
| * none greater than 0.4% | 2697 | 100.00% |
