It took three weeks, but Transsiberian landed on top of the per theater chart with an estimated $27,000 in just 2 theaters for an average of $13,500, which was a little more than it earned last week. Also in limited release, Man on Wire saw its overall number drop by a small amount despite doubling its theater count to 4, which resulted in its average falling to $12,119. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor opened with an average of $10,760 in 3,760 theaters. Frozen River barely reached the $10,000 mark with an average of $10,033 in 7 theaters, although it wasn't as close as The Dark Knight was, as that film earned an average of $10,001.

In Search of a Midnight Kiss was the best of the rest of the new releases with a more than respectable average of $6,693. Sixty Six was also respectable with an average or $4,680, but I don't like its chances to expand. America the Beautiful's re-release went poorly with just $3,125 in one theater while Stealing America: Vote by Vote was right behind with $2,944, also in one theater. Finally, Midnight Meat Train bombed in dramatic style earning a total of just over $34,000 in 101 screens for an average of $337. This puts the film in the top five for the worst opening per theater average ever for a film opening in more than 100 theaters. Perhaps it is time to admit opening a horror film in limited release just doesn't work.

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

• Brideshead Revisited's expansion went well and it earned more than $1 million over the weekend. It goes without saying that it also crossed $1 million since last week, while it should cross $2 million before next week.
• Tell No One reached $2 million over the weekend, and while it has likely peaked at the box office, $3 million should be an easy goal.

- C.S.Strowbridge

Date posted: 2008-08-05