The Darjeeling Limited was the top pick for limited releases over the weekend, earning nearly $140,000 in just two theaters for an average of $67,469. This is the best opening for a Wes Anderson film since The Royal Tenenbaums, at least in terms of raw dollars, and this film still earned a better average. Second place went to Lust, Caution with $63,918, which is one of the best averages we've seen all year. Into the Wild performed marvelously during its expansion this past weekend, earning an average of $19,135 in 33 theaters. On the other hand, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford fell nearly 40% without any expansion; it still earned an average of $18,470 in five theaters, but I was expecting more given its start. Finally, Itty Bitty Titty Committee opened with $11,505 in its lone theater.

Many films were in the $10,000 club, and not that many new releases didn't make it. The best of the rest was The Price of Sugar with an estimated $5,000 in one theater while Outsourced was relatively close behind with an average of $4,028 in eight. On the other hand, Trade's average barely topped $1,000, with just over $110,000 in 90 theaters for an average of $1,312. Finally, the re-release of Sharkwater went poorly with an average of just $619 in 60 theaters.

This past week also saw milestones reached for a couple of Per Theater Chart alumni:

• In the Valley of Ellah continues to expand, earning more than $1 million over the weekend while reaching the $3 million milestone. However, with a sub-$2,000 per theater average, it will likely start shrinking fast from now on.
• Across the Universe earned just over $2 million over the weekend while reaching $5 million in total. However, unlike the previous film, its per theater average suggests further expansion is possible and that makes reaching more milestones much more likely.

- C.S.Strowbridge

Date posted: 2007-10-02