Indy Rules Memorial Day

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull had a great debut taking in $126 million domestically and $143 million internationally. That's a $269 million total. The movie performed quite well but it was expected to break the record held by last year's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Indy was good. Not as good as the original three. I hate aliens.

End of Year Box Office

2007 ends with National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets leading the box office. The new film Alien vs. Predator: Requiem tanked at the box office not even breaking the top 5. Serves the right for releasing it on Christmas. Meanwhile, well received Juno performed well and Sweeney Todd dropped to number 9.

Here's a rundown:

1. National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets - $35.6 million
2. Alvin and the Chipmunks - $30 million
3. I Am Legend - $27.5 million
4. Charlie Wilson's War - $11.7 million
5. Juno - $10.3 million

*Red indicates new to theaters

Box Office Report

Nicholas Cage rules the box office leading into Christmas. National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets, one of five new movies, was able to become the top grossing film this past weekend. Appearances by Johnny Depp, Will Smith, Julia Roberts, and Tom Hanks helped the weekend become a big earner for Hollywood.

Here is an estimated rundown:

1. National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets - $45.5 million
2. I Am Legend - $34.3 million
3. Alvin and the Chipmunks - $29 million
4. Charlie Wilson's War - $9.6 million
5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - $9.3 million

*Red indicates movie new to theaters.

Halloween Sets Record

Image courtesy of Film Edge

Rob Zombie's reimagining of Halloween broke records to become the highest Friday ever for Labor Day weekend according to Variety. The film took in roughly $11 million on Friday and is expected to be the number 1 movie this weekend.

Superbad Reigns For 2nd Week

Image Courtesy of Canmag

In a slow week, Superbad remains the top film at the box office for the second week in a row. The three new films (Mr. Bean's Holiday, The Nanny Diaries, and WAR) did not fare too well.

Here is the top 5 according to Box Office Mojo:

1. Superbad - $18,000

2. The Bourne Ultimatum - $12,361,000

3. Rush Hour 3 - 12,250,000

4. Mr. Bean's Holiday - $10,121,000

5. WAR - $10,000,000

Box Office Report

Superbad rules the box office this weekend. The new comedy was the number 1 film taking in an estimated $31,200,000. Nicole Kidman's new pic The Invasion did not do so well despite a wide release. Congratulations to Hairspray for passing the $100 million mark domestically!

Here are the top 5 courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1. Superbad - $31,200,000
2. Rush Hour 3 - $21,830,000
3. The Bourne Ultimatum - $18,896,000
4. The Simpsons Movie - $6,675,000
5. The Invasion - $6,000,000

Chan and Tucker Take Box Office

Terrible reviews (including one from myself right below) never stop a franchise. After 6 years since Rush Hour 2, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker's Rush Hour 3 debuts at number 1. Meanwhile, Bourne Ultimatum and The Simpsons continue to do well in the top 3 both grossing over 100 million. Claire Danes's new film Stardust didn't debut so hot. The film took in just under $10 million and debuted at number 4. Hairspray still strong in the top 10 at 6 and just a few million away from grossing $100 million.

Here is the top 10 weekend estimates courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1. Rush Hour 3 - $50,240,000
2. The Bourne Ultimatum - $33,670,000
3. The Simpson's Movie - $11,125,000
4. Stardust - $9,011,000
5. Underdog - $6,456,000
6. Hairspray - $6,370,000
7. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry - $5,950,000
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - $5,385,000
9. No Reservations - $3,925,000
10. Daddy Day Camp - $3,550,000

Bourne Breaks The Box Office

The Bourne Ultimatum, most likely the last Bourne film for Matt Damon, took in an extremely impressive $70.2 million this weekend. The film not only surpassed its two predecessors, but also became the biggest opening weekend for August ever! I saw the movie today and was extremely impressed. It was definitely the best film in the series, which is rare for the 3rd film in a series. Good acting, intelligent plot, and a great screenplay go a very long way. I definitely recommend this film. Only downside is the way director Paul Greengrass works the camera leaves me feeling very dizzy. The camera is always shaking and I guess it is one of the director's trademarks because the last Bourne film and United 93 both gave me and others the same nautious feeling. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that this movie was absolutely superb. Do not miss this film!

Weekend Box Office 7/29

The weekend box office estimates according to Coming Soon: 1. The Simpsons Movie $71,850,000 2 I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry - $19,063,000 3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - $17,065,000 4. Hairspray - $15,550,000 5. No Reservations - $11,755,0006 6. Transformers $11,524,000 7. Ratatouille - $7,234,000 8. Live Free or Die Hard - $5,350,000 9. I Know Who Killed Me - $3,400,000 10. Who’s Your Caddy? - $2,900,000 The Simpsons Movie has dominated and the good reviews definitely helped. I'm still upset with America for allowing Chuck and Larry to make so much money. I'm extremely pleased that Hairspray continues to rack in the dough bringing it's domestic total to almost $60 million. Lindsay Lohan really has nothing to be happy about this week...she's been arrested, sent back to rehab, and now her latest movie has bombed and has had disgustingly terrible reviews. She did this to herself. What was her last hit movie? Mean Girls. Oh the glory days are over for her. But everyone loves a good comeback. Right, Mariah?

I Need Some More Hairspray!

From BoxOfficeMojo.com:

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix led the weekend box office, but Hairspray was the word, delivering the biggest opening on record for a musical, even when ticket price inflation is taken into account.

New Line Cinema's early Sixties-themed musical based on the Broadway show that was based on John Waters' picture of the same name spritzed a lustrous estimated $27.8 million on approximately 3,900 screens at 3,121 theaters, the widest release ever for the genre. The 1988 original, also released by New Line, grossed $6.7 million in its entire run, the equivalent of roughly $11 million today.

I am proud and extremely surprised that Hairspray managed to gross this much money. Musicals just have not done well at the Box Office. Dreamgirls and Chicago only passed the $100 million mark when they were showered with award nominations. Hopefully, Hairspray will outgross those films. I guess star power and a family fun theme go a looong way....all the way to the bank.