The Weekend Report (3-Day)

Les Heureuxes

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey nudged ahead of some fierce competition to retain the top spot on the weekend charts with an estimated $32.9 million. The Christmas day behemoths followed close behind with Django Unchained grossing $30.5 million and the screen adaptation of Les Misérables scoring $28 million.

The frame’s other wide release, Parental Guidance, ranked fourth with $14.8 million to win the seasonal comedy honors by default. Other newcomers included Matt Damon-starring Gus Van Sant pamphlet Promised Land with an okay $190,000 at 25 venues and a disappointing $14,200 at five sites for Amy Berg’s Peter Jackson-produced doc West of Memphis.

Overall pre-New Year box office climbed to roughly $190 million for a sizeable 69% boost from the prior weekend. It was also 21% improved for 2011 when holdovers of Mission: Impossible and Sherlock Holmes led the field with respectively $29.4 million and $20.9 million.

Les Misérables‘ opening day found it ahead of the pack and the beloved musical continuing to display commercial chops both domestically and in its limited international exposure. It was not unsurprisingly female tilted with 67% of buyers according to studio exit demos. The picture received some excellent news with the results of the under/over 25-year olds which were anticipated to favor an older crowd but were a comparatively modest 55% on the plus side.

Exceeding expectations was the violent slavery saga Django Unchained that was viewed as the film to draw in male viewers. It skewed slightly in that direction with 54% of first look patrons. It was also expected to attract a younger crowd despite its R rating and wound up with a crowd that was 69% aged 25 years and more senior. It also flaunted expectations with an audience about one-third composed of African Americans.

Parental Guidance wound up as the holiday family attraction with demos identifying ticket buyers as 53% in that category with 45% of attendees aged 25 years and more junior. It was also slightly female centric with 52% of the viewers.

The high stakes of the season would appear to have weighed against the likes of Jack Reacher and The Guilt Trip that have been relegated to second or third choice options. Also losing steam are Life of Pi and Rise of the Guardians and this weekend’s expansion of award’s favorite Silver Lining Playbook came up short of receiving a second commercial wind. If box office momentum (and success) is any indication of Oscar sentiment next week’s nominations are likely to favor Lincoln and Les Misérables.

With New Year celebrations looming, actual box office reporting has been erratic and year end finals won’t be available until late in the week. But it’s safe to say 2012 will show record box office and possibly admissions … but for the nonce, enjoy the festivities.

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