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[xaosslug]

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rottenwatch box office:

83% Avatar

69% Sherlock Holmes

24% Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

51% It's Complicated

89% Up in the Air

metacritic box office:





*click pic(s) for source*

'Avatar' tops holiday box office. Pic beats 'Alvin,' 'Sherlock' with $75 million

One of the world's most famous detectives couldn't solve the riddle of 20th Century Fox's "Avatar," which grossed an estimated $75 million in its second sesh to top the domestic B.O. and best Warner Bros.' new entry "Sherlock Holmes."

But there was no reason for "Sherlock," toplining Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, to sulk. "Sherlock" still opened to a boffo $65.4 million from 3,626 screens to score the biggest Christmas weekend opening of all time. Previous record-holder was "Meet the Fockers" at $46.2 million.

Fox ends the year on a high note. Coming in No. 3 was "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," which grossed an estimated $50.2 from 3,700 million for the weekend for a five-day opening cume of $77.1 million.

Moreover, "Avatar," "Sherlock" and "Squeakquel" led the biggest weekend of all time at the domestic B.O., with ticket sales clocking in at an estimated $285 million. Previous biggest weekend was in July 2008 when "The Dark Knight" upspooled, and total ticket sales reached $260 million.

Placing No. 4 was Universal's "It's Complicated," opening to $22.1 million. The Nancy Meyers-directed rom com stars Meryl Street, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin.

Expanding wide over the frame were Paramount's George Clooney starrer "Up in the Air" and the Weinstein Co.'s Rob Marshall-directed musical "Nine."

"Up in the Air" came in No. 5 for the weekend, grossing an estimated $11.8 million from 1,895 theaters for a cume of $24.5 million.

"Nine" was estimated to have placed No. 8, grossing a softish $5.5 million from 1,412 screens for a cume of $5.9 million.

*click pic for full list/source*

(so much for the 1st Alvin and the Chipmunks flick being a fluke. :lol)

 

[Veidt]

Avatar is killin' it.

 

[NomarTyme]

Holy crap!

 

[gdt]

2.6% DECREASE FOR AVATAR.

DON'T BET AGAINST CAMERON.

Edit: Whats with the thread title not bowing down?

 

[StoOgE]

Jesus fucking Christ.

James Cameron just prints money.

I called 1 billion worldwide last week.. and I only thought it would make 60 million this week. Another 75?

Jesus.

New Rule: No matter how insane James Cameron's budget is... never, ever, ever bet against Cameron. He fucking has a pipeline directly into the worlds zeitgeist or some shit. Probably through some kind of USB port in his pony tail.

 

[Peff]

Ugh, Alvin>Princess and the Frog is awful. I hope Disney doesn't give up on 2D animation. And they're releasing the movie worldwide next month too :-/

 

[Sanjuro]

That is a damn powerful weekend.

 

[Veidt]

Jesus fucking Christ.

James Cameron just prints money.

I called 1 billion worldwide last week.. and I only thought it would make 60 million this week. Another 75?

Jesus.

New Rule: No matter how insane James Cameron's budget is... never, ever, ever bet against Cameron. He fucking has a pipeline directly into the worlds zeitgeist or some shit. Probably through some kind of USB port in his pony tail.

I've heard that the only other film that did that was...Titanic. :lol

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

Well I was way off on Avatar. It definitely has a good chance at crossing $400 mil. Still havn't seen it yet, I'm in no rush.

Good for Holmes. I was way off on that as well with my guess last week of about $45. Hopefully it continues to do well, I would really like to see a sequel.

 

[bud]

a 2.6% drop... whoa.

i'll see it this week, hopefully.

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

-2% wat.

I saw it last night at IMAX, sold out showings all day and night in Elizabeth NJ.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Avatar at ~$640m once international take is updated.

Cameron is pulling another Titanic.

They're estimating Sunday to drop 20% from Saturday. The drop last week was 3.1%. Just sayin'.

 

[StoOgE]

I've heard that the only other film that did that was...Titanic. :lol

Aliens, Abyss, T2, Titanic and now Avatar were all considered extremely over ambitious flops in waiting when he was filming them...

and all of them made bank. Hell, when the Abyss is the movie everyone forgets you made you know you have had a great career. Most directors would kill for something as good as the Directors Cut of that film.

 

[xaosslug]

2.6% DECREASE FOR AVATAR.

DON'T BET AGAINST CAMERON.

Edit: Whats with the thread title not bowing down?

i'm sorry, I think A&tC doing $77mil over Christmas and $50mil over the weekend is just... the bigger news this weekend. :lol My mind is fucking blowed. :lol :lol

 

[gdt]

Jesus Christ, Cameron has a real shot a taking #2 (.........#1?) movie of all time.

#1 and #2....thats some major crow.

 

[gdt]

i'm sorry, I think A&tC doing $77mil over Christmas and $50mil over the weekend is just... the bigger news this weekend. :lol My mind is fucking blowed. :lol :lol

?

It did $77 total.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Jesus Christ, Cameron has a real shot a taking #2 (.........#1?) movie of all time.

#1 and #2....thats some major crow.

If Avatar only doubles what its brought in so far world-wide, it will be #2 by over $200m.

?

It did $77 total.

Yeah. It's a five-day take. Great numbers, but um. Sherlock Holmes set the record on Christmas Day, and Avatar is, well, going Avatar. The Chipmunks are not the story of the week. :lol

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

Aliens, Abyss, T2, Titanic and now Avatar were all considered extremely over ambitious flops in waiting when he was filming them...

and all of them made bank. Hell, when the Abyss is the movie everyone forgets you made you know you have had a great career. Most directors would kill for something as good as the Directors Cut of that film.

Well I wouldn't really say the Abyss made bank ($54 mil and not sure on the budget), but other than that, yeah.

 

[Darko]

James Cameron just prints money.

.

 

[WrikaWrek]

How can he drop

 

[Veidt]

Jesus Christ, Cameron has a real shot a taking #2 (.........#1?) movie of all time.

#1 and #2....thats some major crow.

I just hope it happens man. This is just too good to be true. :lol

 

[Count Dookkake]

Where is PD?

James Cameron just prints money.

I said it before and I'll say it again. Avatar is to Titanic as Wii is to DS. If you are surprised by its success, you have no understanding of the business.

 

[TacticalFox88]

Eat Crow PhoenixDark. EAT MOTHERFUCKING CROW!!!

 

[gdt]

Where is PD?

.

 

[StoOgE]

Well I wouldn't really say the Abyss made bank ($54 mil and not sure on the budget), but other than that, yeah.

According to Wiki it costs between 65 and 70 million to make and brought in 90 million worldwide. It was a minor success.. but that budget was nuts in 1989 money.

If they had released the Director's Cut in theaters it probably would have done better. It went from a good movie to one of my favorites with the additions.

In any case, this is just nuts. James Cameron really might do it again. If Avatar 2 drops in 3-4 years it is going to be fucking nuts. There will be even more 3d screens for it to debut on.. if they do it, it will have the number 1 opening weekend with a bullet.

 

[Timbuktu]

oh to think of how much money Cameron has cost Hollywood by not putting a film out for twelve years...

 

[skyfinch]

The fantastic mr. fox has tail.

 

[grandjedi6]

2.6% DECREASE FOR AVATAR.

DON'T BET AGAINST CAMERON.

Edit: Whats with the thread title not bowing down?

HOW DOES HE DO THIS!? ...Is he a wizard?

 

[gdt]

Christmas Carol did NOT pull up, contrary to predictions by some.

 

[StoOgE]

HOW DOES HE DO THIS!? ...Is he a wizard?

grandjedi6

 

[NomarTyme]

i'm sorry, I think A&tC doing $77mil over Christmas and $50mil over the weekend is just... the bigger news this weekend. :lol My mind is fucking blowed. :lol :lol

The first one was big, so what is the surprise?

 

[StoOgE]

Christmas Carol did NOT pull up, contrary to predictions by some.

It makes some sense that it might have pulled up since it is an Xmas movie.. but it's been out too long and Avatar booted it off all of the 3d screens by now.

That movie should have released a month later than it did.

 

[RubxQub]

Doesn't PD need to start thinking about what embarrassing avatar he's going to have to put on?

 

[GhaleonEB]

According to Wiki it costs between 65 and 70 million to make and brought in 90 million worldwide. It was a minor success.. but that budget was nuts in 1989 money.

If they had released the Director's Cut in theaters it probably would have done better. It went from a good movie to one of my favorites with the additions.

In any case, this is just nuts. James Cameron really might do it again. If Avatar 2 drops in 3-4 years it is going to be fucking nuts. There will be even more 3d screens for it to debut on.. if they do it, it will have the number 1 opening weekend with a bullet.

And The Abyss did well the home video formats, between the different editions. Cameron said it made more money there than in theaters over the years. So while not the hit his other movies were, it wasn't a flop by any stretch.

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

3D will be taking off in 2010 and beyond. Sherlock played on 200 more screens and Avatar still pulled in 10 million more dollars

 

[WyndhamPrice]

This whole situation is avatarded

 

[GhaleonEB]

http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/top12sum.htm

This weekend set the record for the biggest ever, topping the opening of TDK. 3D ticket prices pushed it over.

 

[wRATH2x]

Well I guess the technology behind Avatar will take off, which is awesome.

Bring in the new awesomeness!

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

3D will be taking off in 2010 and beyond. Sherlock played on 200 more screens and Avatar still pulled in 10 million more dollars

That count is for theaters, not screens I believe. Avatar could be playing on more screens. Plus I imagine it's doing a lot of its business in 3-D venues which cost more money.

edit: Nevermind, the story says screens. Still though, the added cost of 3-D tickets is a contributor.

 

[grandjedi6]

grandjedi6

:O

"This is the movie you're looking for" "You will watch this movie"

 

[gdt]

Avatar could come in quite a bit higher too, last week's Sat-Sun drop was something like 3%, this estimates 20%.

We'll see when the actuals come in.

It's juuuuuust short of biggest second weekend ever, and might just beat it's first week with the actuals.

 

[StoOgE]

That count is for theaters, not screens I believe. Avatar could be playing on more screens. Plus I imagine it's doing a lot of its business in 3-D venues which cost more money.

edit: Nevermind, the story says screens. Still though, the added cost of 3-D tickets is a contributor.

Yeah, it's screens.

If it is tracking the same as last week, Avatar is pulling in 50% of it's money from 3d showings despite it being shown on significantly fewer 3d screens than 2d. 3d prices + buzz is driving this film.

and as has been pointed out, this assumes a much larger drop from Saturday to Sunday than happened last week.

It is entirely possible Avatar made more money in it's second week than it's first week. Which would be the first time a blockbuster did that since.. Titanic.

 

[bud]

why do studios keep giving zemeckis these huge budgets to keep making crappy 3d movies.

 

[Memphis Reigns]

Avatar could come in quite a bit higher too, last week's Sat-Sun drop was something like 3%, this estimates 20%.

We'll see when the actuals come in.

It's juuuuuust short of biggest second weekend ever, and might just beat it's first week with the actuals.

I know one city does not represent the entire nation but for what its worth all of the IMAX showings are sold out today in the Seattle area. I just don't see it dropping 20% overall.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Those Avatar numbers don't look accurate, might have to get congress involved

 

[Sanjuro]

why do studios keep giving zemeckis these huge budgets to keep making crappy 3d movies.

I would like to know this as well. If he wants to return to the world of Roger Rabbit I would be very pleased though. I think with this technology he could make a 2D version with some very impressive 3D effects.

 

[WrikaWrek]

why do studios keep giving zemeckis these huge budgets to keep making crappy 3d movies.

Because the movie made like 700 million wordlwide.


edit: That's Roland Emmerich. Shit. I always confuse them.

 

[StoOgE]

why do studios keep giving zemeckis these huge budgets to keep making crappy 3d movies.

Zemeckis 3d studio is completely fucked. He is essentially been trying to do the same thing that Cameron just did.. work on getting 3d CG of live action performers translated into believable images.

In his case, all of his movies come off creepy, plasticy and lifeless.

Cameron just took a piss in Zemeckis coffee and is laughing about it right now.

 

[xaosslug]

If Avatar only doubles what its brought in so far world-wide, it will be #2 by over $200m.

Yeah. It's a five-day take. Great numbers, but um. Sherlock Holmes set the record on Christmas Day, and Avatar is, well, going Avatar. The Chipmunks are not the story of the week. :lol

yes, because everyone figured the Squeakquel would do $70+ mil. over 5 days. Err... :lol I KNOW I didn't. *shrug*

this weekend was very... very. But, the thread title can accommodate only so many characters and yes, at times reflects my individual take on the weekend.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Yeah, it's screens.

If it is tracking the same as last week, Avatar is pulling in 50% of it's money from 3d showings despite it being shown on significantly fewer 3d screens than 2d. 3d prices + buzz is driving this film.

and as has been pointed out, this assumes a much larger drop from Saturday to Sunday than happened last week.

It is entirely possible Avatar made more money in it's second week than it's first week. Which would be the first time a blockbuster did that since.. Titanic.

This is from last weekend:

Exhibitors have been racing the clock all year to get 3D screens installed in time for Avatar's opening and the new hardware, which allows for extra high ticket prices, paid off. 3D was available on 59% of the screens but they accounted for 71% of the gross. 2,032 theaters offered at least one extra-dimensional screen for a total of 3,124 3D screens including 178 in IMAX where consumers pay even more.

http://www.boxofficeguru.com/122109.htm

And the run time also limits the number of showings relative to other movies - usually at least one less per day.

yes, because everyone figured the Squeakquel would do $70+ mil. over 5 days. Err... :lol I KNOW I didn't. *shrug*

this weekend was very... very. But, the thread title can accommodate only so many characters and yes, at times reflects my individual take on the weekend.

You've got two movies on top breaking records, and you're shocked that a (partly) animated sequel to a smash-hit kids movie did well over Christmas.

But the title actually works well on another level. I think everyone is like, what? Chimpmunks ahead of Avatar and Holmes....oh. :lol