The Wrestler had one of the best opening per theater averages this year, pulling in just over $200,000 in 4 theaters for an average of $50,679; this impressive beginning is even more impressive once one realizes it was a Wednesday opener, which undoubtedly cut its weekend average. Gran Torino tripled its theater count but its per theater average held well at $24,643 during its second weekend of release. Likewise, Doubt saw a significant increase in its theater count while earning an average of $17,460 over the weekend. The Reader remained in 8 theaters with an average of $11,599, and it will be interesting to see how well it expands at this point, but momentum is not on its side.

The only other new release that we have box office numbers for was Nothing But the Truth, which struggled with just $3,500 in two theaters for an average of $1,750.

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

• The annual release of The Polar Express reached $1 million during its latest run.
• Doubt also reached $1 million over the weekend, and it is far from done.
• Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi topped $1 million since last week, and it has a shot at $2 million, but that is far from guaranteed.
• Frost/Nixon also topped $1 million since last week, but $2 million is guaranteed for this movie.
• I've Loved You So Long made it to $2 million, but unless it surprises during Awards Season, that's as far as it will go.
• Milk reached $10 million over the weekend, and its chances to get to $15 million seem solid.
• Slumdog Millionaire earned $3 million over the weekend alone, which was enough to push it over $10 million during its run. $15 million is all but assured, while $20 million is also easily within reach.

- C.S.Strowbridge

Date posted: 2008-12-23