'Avatar,' 'Sherlock Holmes' lead huge box office weekend -- only 'Nine' disappoints
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From the Los Angeles Times' Company Town.20th Century Fox's 3-D event film "Avatar" led the box office with a
studio-estimated $75-million take in the U.S. and Canada.
Its minuscule drop of just 3% from last weekend's opening is a sign of extremely strong word of mouth and is continuing to fuel industry buzz that it could end up as one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, alongside "Avatar" director James Cameron's "Titanic." That would easily justify the massive $430 million that Fox and its financing partners invested in production and marketing.
"Avatar" has grossed $212.3 million domestically in just 10 days. As with other pictures, international grosses weren't available yet early this morning.
The new adaptation of "Sherlock Holmes" starring Robert Downey Jr. was also a hit this weekend, opening to a very strong $65.4 million domestically. Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Entertainment spent $90 million to produce the movie after the benefit of British tax credits, putting them in a very good financial starting position.
Fox's family film "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," meanwhile, grossed $50.2 million for the weekend. With healthy ticket sales on its first two days in theaters, Wednesday and Thursday, it has grossed a total of $77.1 million in five days. Fox and New Regency Entertainment spent $70 million to produce the follow-up to 2007's original big-screen version of the singing rodents and appear to have another hit on their hands.
The top three movies were drawing audiences of all ages, particularly families going out together for the holiday. Two other films aimed primarily at adults also did well, although one other movie missed the mark.
The weekend's single disappointment was "Nine." The Broadway musical adaptation from Weinstein Co. opened to a weak $5.5 million, bringing its total since last Friday to $5.9 million. Unless it picks up momentum from awards and audience buzz, it could be a major money loser for the struggling Weinstein Co. and its financing partner Relativity Media. Together they spent about $64 million to make the movie, which stars Daniel Day-Lewis and Nicole Kidman.
Read the full story at the Los Angeles Times' Company Town blog.
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Photo credit: 20th Century Fox
the only buzz I'm giving Nine is by telling people not to see it. I only saw that on Christmas because Sherlock Holmes was sold out!
I'm sorry, I just don't get the attraction with this movie "Avatar" ... it looks horrible.
Also, I can't believe they didn't mention "It's Complicated". I saw that yesterday and it was great! Very hilarious!
I have heard two vastly different reviews of Avatar. A nineteen year old guy saying it was the best movie ever. A nineteen year old girl saying it was the worst movie ever. I think she just couldn't take one more movie where the female space aliens are humanoid and wear nothing but body paint or lingerie. I am going with her review, it sounds like it's been done over and over before.
So is Nine supposed to be "women's content" because I don't want to watch a bunch of women dancing around in lingerie and striking sexualized poses. Maybe it is gay content.
Don't feel sorry for NINE, it's trashy and not worth the ticket price..I walked out!
Avatar seems to be shunned by those who didn't see it. It's very revealing to me, a 50 year old dude and movie buff that thinks this may be the best movie EVER!
I'm going a fourth time this week.
;0)
I also can't believe that "It's Complicated" wasn't mentioned. I've seen it twice already! If romantic comedy is your genre, don't miss this one.
I saw Up in the Air, Nine, and 500 Summers this weekend. I don't understand the hype about Up. 500 Summers had more depth, a better story, superior acting, and I actually cared about the characters. Nine rocked. If you cannot slow down long enough to appreciate an average (yes, average) guy taking a look back at his life -- stay home with your remote control and forever remain unsatisfied.
I agree - "It's Complicated" was a far more notable film - vintage Nancy Meyers: Beautiful aesthetics, lots of unforced laughs, heart and pastries! See it! http://cineczarina.blogspot.com