Harry Potter Tops Another Chart

November 23, 2010

The overall box office leader, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I, also led the way on the per theater chart, pulling in an average of $30,307 in more than 4000 theaters. Last week's winner, Tiny Furniture, was a distant second place, with $16,384 in one theater. Made in Dagenham opened with a disappointing average of $12,521 in three theaters. This should be enough to expand somewhat, but its chances of earning a significant measure of mainstream success took a hit over the weekend. White Material was right behind with an average of $11,538, also in three theaters.

There were a few other new limited releases that debuted over the weekend, some of which did respectable business. This includes William S. Burroughs: A Man Within and its haul of $6,510 over the weekend and $10,612 since Wednesday. Guzaarish opened with nearly $500,000 in 108 theaters over the weekend for an average of $4,520; however, these films tend to have terrible legs, and reaching $1 million it not guaranteed, even with this start. Queen of the Lot earned an average of $3,788 in six theaters, which suggests a limited ability to expand. Heartless barely avoided missing the Mendoza line with $2,033 in one theater, while Today's Special was not as lucky with an average of $1,648 in 55. Given the later film's reviews, it is a case of opening in far too many theaters.

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

• Animal Kingdom hit $1 million early in the weekend, but that's as far as it will go.
• 127 Hours also reached $1 million early in the weekend, but it also made it to $2 million on Monday.
• Inside Job topped $2 million at the box office and has a good shot at $3 million
• You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger surpassed $3 million over the weekend, which is good for a limited release, but weaker than expected.
• The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest managed to reach $4 million before the weekend, while it is practically guaranteed to get to $4 million before it is done.
• Fair*Game got to $2 million during the week, $3 million over the weekend, and it is already almost at $4 million.
• I Am Love made it all the way to $5 million, about 100 days after reaching $4 million.

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Theater Averages, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I, Animal Kingdom, Fair*Game, Luftslottet som sprängdes, Io sono l’amore, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Made in Dagenham, 127 Hours, Inside Job, Tiny Furniture, Guzaarish, Queen of the Lot, William S. Burroughs: A Man Within, Today's Special, White Material, Heartless