Last week's winner remained the per theater chart champion, as Downfall earned and average of $15,704. That's down just 13.7%, despite it being a post holiday weekend and seeing its theater count quadruple; this bodes very well for the film's long-term success. The only other film to crack the top 10 was overall box office champ, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, which averaged $14,771 in its 1,483 theaters.

This past week also saw some milestones reached for several Per Theater Charts alumnus:

• Bride and Prejudice reached $1 million early in the weekend and is already almost at $2 million. This film may succeed in bringing Bollywood musicals to the mainstream American audiences.
• The Merchant of Venice cracked $2 million late last week and should have enough staying power to hit another milestone or two.
• Ong-Bak hit $3 million, also late last week. However, its theater count is crashing and it is unlikely the film will reach too many more milestones.
• Sideways hit $60 million over the weekend while finishing 11th place for the sixth weekend in its run. That has to be some sort of record.

Submitted by: C.S.Strowbridge

Date posted: 2005-03-01