Avatar continued to dominate domestic sales with a fourth weekend estimated gross of $46.5 million that most films would envy as an opening stat. The film’s $427 million now ranks it second only to Titanic as all-time domestic box office grosser.

With the holidays consummated a new spate of films debuted with the chiller Daybreakers ranking fourth on a $14.9 million tally. There were also OK results for a pair of rom-coms. Leap Year bowed to $9.1 million and Youth in Revolt was a couple of pegs back with $7 million.

The frame was considerably less receptive to incoming niche and exclusive entries. A pair of new Bollywood entries proved moribund as 3 Idiots continued to tally Titanic-sized box office on the circuit. And the limited exposure for Crazy on the Outside barely registered a pulse.

Overall box office experienced a not unanticipated post-gala dip of 30% and saw a slight 5% boost from a year back. In 2009 the platformed national bow of Gran Torino raced to $29.5 million followed by debuts of Bride Wars and The Unborn with respective box offices of $21 million and $19.8 million.

With the dust now settled on 2009, it’s fair to say that it was a year of haves and have nots. The majors (Universal notwithstanding) bucked the recession with aplomb while the independents were largely eviscerated. The studio specialized divisions are becoming a fast fading memory with but three maintaining a presence in the marketplace.

That said, Summit and Lions Gate are carving out a significant slice of the box office with the former hoping to establish a series of mainstays to solidify its position. To a lesser degree niche strategies have largely proved effective for the likes of IFC, Fathom and Magnolia. But the majority of independents are hanging by a thread and some are likely to falter permanently before (if ever) there’s a rebound in the alternative arena.

Last year saw many, many films with marquee value and high concepts unable to secure distribution; begging the big question for life outside the mainstream in 2010 and beyond. With the six studios all seemingly set to produce fewer films does this bode well or ill for the orphan productions? If the marketplace accommodates for a drop of 10% to 20% in the number of movie titles by affording them a longer and more vibrant theatrical life, it’s rough sledding.

If that scenario proves incorrect, then acquisition activity should accelerate and the prospect for new companies stepping into the fray gains root. Still, regardless of how tomorrow evolves, it should always be remembered that the film industry never proceeds in a logical fashion.

by Leonard Klady

Domestic Market Share: 2009

Top Domestic Releases – To December 20, 2009

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