The Tale of Despereaux (2008)

Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $50,877,145Details
International Box Office $39,605,172Details
Worldwide Box Office $90,482,317
Home Market Performance
Est. Domestic DVD Sales $27,764,749 Details
Total Est. Domestic Video Sales $27,764,749
Further financial details...

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$10,103,675 (19.9% of total gross)
Legs:5.04 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:56.2% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$60,000,000 (worldwide box office is 1.5 times production budget)
Theater counts:3,104 opening theaters/3,107 max. theaters, 4.6 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $74,163,590

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists


Watch Now On

iTunes:iTunes
Netflix:Netflix

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: December 19th, 2008 (Wide) by Universal
Video Release: April 7th, 2009 by Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: G
Running Time: 93 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Antz
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Talking Animals, Animal Lead, Family Adventure, Medieval, Slow Motion Scene, Rescue
Source:Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre:Adventure
Production Method:Digital Animation
Creative Type:Kids Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Universal Pictures
Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 226 $6,939,295 Jan 2, 2009 17
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 304 $10,455,201 Jan 2, 2009 17
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day) 177 $8,932,625 Dec 26, 2008 10
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 235 $14,058,307 Dec 26, 2008 10

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 19, 2008 3 $10,103,675   3,104 $3,255   $10,103,675 1
Dec 26, 2008 7 $8,932,625 -12% 3,107 $2,875   $27,448,085 2
Jan 2, 2009 7 $6,939,295 -22% 3,091 $2,245   $43,661,775 3
Jan 9, 2009 13 $2,733,585 -61% 2,297 $1,190   $47,584,450 4
Jan 16, 2009 24 $713,595 -74% 870 $820   $48,872,100 5
Jan 23, 2009 30 $288,540 -60% 380 $759   $49,604,065 6
Jan 30, 2009 30 $229,175 -21% 312 $735   $49,899,955 7
Feb 6, 2009 33 $223,560 -2% 276 $810   $50,176,530 8
Feb 13, 2009 38 $181,050 -19% 255 $710   $50,411,335 9
Feb 20, 2009 39 $130,395 -28% 221 $590   $50,653,875 10
Feb 27, 2009 42 $135,145 +4% 248 $545   $50,818,750 11

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Dec 19, 2008 3 $3,538,560     3,104 $1,140   $3,538,560 1
Dec 20, 2008 4 $3,802,555 +7%   3,104 $1,225   $7,341,115 2
Dec 21, 2008 4 $2,762,560 -27%   3,104 $890   $10,103,675 3
Dec 22, 2008 2 $2,483,145 -10%   3,104 $800   $12,586,820 4
Dec 23, 2008 2 $2,436,640 -2%   3,104 $785   $15,023,460 5
Dec 24, 2008 2 $1,520,960 -38%   3,104 $490   $16,544,420 6
Dec 25, 2008 10 $1,971,040 +30%   3,107 $634   $18,515,460 7
Dec 26, 2008 7 $3,169,140 +61% -10% 3,107 $1,020   $21,684,600 8
Dec 27, 2008 7 $3,293,420 +4% -13% 3,107 $1,060   $24,978,020 9
Dec 28, 2008 7 $2,470,065 -25% -11% 3,107 $795   $27,448,085 10
Dec 29, 2008 7 $2,268,110 -8% -9% 3,107 $730   $29,716,195 11
Dec 30, 2008 7 $2,407,925 +6% -1% 3,107 $775   $32,124,120 12
Dec 31, 2008 - $1,895,270 -21% +25% 3,107 $610   $34,019,390 13
Jan 1, 2009 - $2,703,090 +43% +37% 3,107 $870   $36,722,480 14
Jan 2, 2009 7 $2,797,355 +3% -12% 3,091 $905   $39,519,835 15
Jan 3, 2009 7 $2,503,710 -10% -24% 3,091 $810   $42,023,545 16
Jan 4, 2009 7 $1,638,230 -35% -34% 3,091 $530   $43,661,775 17
Jan 5, 2009 9 $386,375 -76% -83% 3,091 $125   $44,048,150 18
Jan 6, 2009 13 $262,735 -32% -89% 3,091 $85   $44,310,885 19
Jan 7, 2009 13 $261,995 n/c -86% 3,091 $85   $44,572,880 20
Jan 8, 2009 11 $277,985 +6% -90% 3,091 $90   $44,850,865 21
Jan 9, 2009 14 $620,345 +123% -78% 2,297 $270   $45,471,210 22
Jan 10, 2009 12 $1,251,865 +102% -50% 2,297 $545   $46,723,075 23
Jan 11, 2009 12 $861,375 -31% -47% 2,297 $375   $47,584,450 24
Jan 12, 2009 17 $126,335 -85% -67% 2,297 $55   $47,710,785 25
Jan 13, 2009 - $137,820 +9% -48% 2,297 $60   $47,848,605 26
Jan 14, 2009 - $137,955 n/c -47% 2,297 $60   $47,986,560 27
Jan 15, 2009 - $171,945 +25% -38% 2,297 $75   $48,158,505 28
Jan 16, 2009 - $152,375 -11% -75% 870 $175   $48,310,880 29
Jan 17, 2009 - $326,265 +114% -74% 870 $375   $48,637,145 30
Jan 18, 2009 - $234,955 -28% -73% 870 $270   $48,872,100 31
Jan 19, 2009 20 $313,200 +33% +148% 870 $360   $49,185,300 32
Jan 20, 2009 - $39,150 -88% -72% 870 $45   $49,224,450 33
Jan 21, 2009 - $43,225 +10% -69% 870 $50   $49,267,675 34
Jan 22, 2009 - $47,850 +11% -72% 870 $55   $49,315,525 35
Jan 23, 2009 - $56,955 +19% -63% 380 $150   $49,372,480 36
Jan 24, 2009 - $130,990 +130% -60% 380 $345   $49,503,470 37
Jan 25, 2009 - $100,595 -23% -57% 380 $265   $49,604,065 38
Jan 26, 2009 - $17,100 -83% -95% 380 $45   $49,621,165 39
Jan 27, 2009 - $15,315 -10% -61% 380 $40   $49,636,480 40
Jan 28, 2009 - $17,075 +11% -60% 380 $45   $49,653,555 41
Jan 29, 2009 - $17,225 +1% -64% 380 $45   $49,670,780 42
Jan 30, 2009 - $59,150 +243% +4% 312 $190   $49,729,930 43
Jan 31, 2009 - $115,440 +95% -12% 312 $370   $49,845,370 44
Feb 1, 2009 - $54,585 -53% -46% 312 $175   $49,899,955 45
Feb 2, 2009 - $12,480 -77% -27% 312 $40   $49,912,435 46
Feb 3, 2009 - $13,905 +11% -9% 312 $45   $49,926,340 47
Feb 4, 2009 - $12,625 -9% -26% 312 $40   $49,938,965 48
Feb 5, 2009 - $14,005 +11% -19% 312 $45   $49,952,970 49
Feb 6, 2009 - $51,060 +265% -14% 276 $185   $50,004,030 50
Feb 7, 2009 - $106,260 +108% -8% 276 $385   $50,110,290 51
Feb 8, 2009 - $66,240 -38% +21% 276 $240   $50,176,530 52
Feb 9, 2009 - $15,180 -77% +22% 276 $55   $50,191,710 53
Feb 10, 2009 - $12,395 -18% -11% 276 $45   $50,204,105 54
Feb 11, 2009 - $10,965 -12% -13% 276 $40   $50,215,070 55
Feb 12, 2009 - $15,215 +39% +9% 276 $55   $50,230,285 56
Feb 13, 2009 - $35,700 +135% -30% 255 $140   $50,265,985 57
Feb 14, 2009 - $86,700 +143% -18% 255 $340   $50,352,685 58
Feb 15, 2009 - $58,650 -32% -11% 255 $230   $50,411,335 59
Feb 16, 2009 31 $62,475 +7% +312% 255 $245   $50,473,810 60
Feb 17, 2009 - $16,600 -73% +34% 255 $65   $50,490,410 61
Feb 18, 2009 - $16,495 -1% +50% 255 $65   $50,506,905 62
Feb 19, 2009 - $16,575 n/c +9% 255 $65   $50,523,480 63
Feb 20, 2009 - $29,835 +80% -16% 221 $135   $50,553,315 64
Feb 21, 2009 - $58,565 +96% -32% 221 $265   $50,611,880 65
Feb 22, 2009 - $41,995 -28% -28% 221 $190   $50,653,875 66
Feb 23, 2009 - $6,630 -84% -89% 221 $30   $50,660,505 67
Feb 24, 2009 - $7,665 +16% -54% 221 $35   $50,668,170 68
Feb 25, 2009 - $6,595 -14% -60% 221 $30   $50,674,765 69
Feb 26, 2009 - $8,840 +34% -47% 221 $40   $50,683,605 70
Feb 27, 2009 - $21,080 +138% -29% 248 $85   $50,704,685 71
Feb 28, 2009 - $74,385 +253% +27% 248 $300   $50,779,070 72
Mar 1, 2009 - $39,680 -47% -6% 248 $160   $50,818,750 73
Mar 2, 2009 - $12,445 -69% +88% 248 $50   $50,831,195 74
Mar 3, 2009 - $14,905 +20% +94% 248 $60   $50,846,100 75
Mar 4, 2009 - $14,845 n/c +125% 248 $60   $50,860,945 76
Mar 5, 2009 - $16,200 +9% +83% 248 $65   $50,877,145 77

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 19, 2008 3 $18,577,540   3,104 $5,985   $18,577,540 1
Dec 26, 2008 7 $18,207,020 -2% 3,107 $5,860   $36,722,480 2
Jan 2, 2009 7 $8,128,385 -55% 3,091 $2,630   $44,850,865 3
Jan 9, 2009 14 $3,307,640 -59% 2,297 $1,440   $48,158,505 4
Jan 16, 2009 24 $1,157,020 -65% 870 $1,330   $49,315,525 5
Jan 23, 2009 29 $355,255 -69% 380 $935   $49,670,780 6
Jan 30, 2009 32 $282,190 -21% 312 $904   $49,952,970 7
Feb 6, 2009 34 $277,315 -2% 276 $1,005   $50,230,285 8
Feb 13, 2009 38 $293,195 +6% 255 $1,150   $50,523,480 9
Feb 20, 2009 39 $160,125 -45% 221 $725   $50,683,605 10
Feb 27, 2009 41 $193,540 +21% 248 $780   $50,877,145 11

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week
% ChangeTotal
Units
Spending
this
Week
Total
Spending
Weeks
in
Release
Apr 12, 20096749,409 749,409$12,732,459$12,732,4591
Apr 19, 20099157,622-79% 907,031$2,677,998$15,410,4572
Apr 26, 20091595,714-39% 1,002,745$1,626,181$17,036,6383
May 3, 20091779,288-17% 1,082,033$1,347,103$18,383,7414
May 10, 20092458,275-27% 1,140,308$990,092$19,373,8335
May 17, 20093037,936-35% 1,178,244$644,533$20,018,3666
Nov 15, 20091667,486 1,384,441$1,011,615$23,343,40332
Nov 29, 200921218,324 1,606,572$1,633,064$25,033,53434
Apr 4, 20103052,041 1,702,289$519,890$26,111,33252

Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue are available through our research services. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com.

Leading Cast

Matthew Broderick    Despereaux

Supporting Cast

Robbie Coltrane    Gregory
Dustin Hoffman    Roscuro
Richard Jenkins    Principal
Kevin Kline    Andre
Frank Langella    Mayor
William H. Macy    Lester
Tracey Ullman    Miggery Sow
Frances Conroy    Antoinette
Tony Hale    Furlough
Ciaran Hinds    Botticelli
Christopher Lloyd    Hovis
Charles Shaughnessy    Pietro
Stanley Tucci    Boldo
Emma Watson    Princess Pea
Patricia Cullen    Queen
Sam Fell    Ned/Smudge
Jane Karen    Louise
Bronson Pinchot    Town Crier
McNally Sagal    Teacher
Matt Adler    Additional Voice
Steve Alterman    Additional Voice
Stephen F. Apostolina    Additional Voice
Kirk Baily    Additional Voice
Robert Clotworthy    Additional Voice
Georgina Cordova    Additional Voice
David Cowgill    Additional Voice
Kat Cressida    Additional Voice
Wendy Cutler    Additional Voice
Robin Atkin Downes    Additional Voice
Eddie Frierson    Additional Voice
Jessica George    Additional Voice
Jackie Gonneau    Additional Voice
Nicholas Guest    Additional Voice
Bridget Hoffman    Additional Voice
Rif Hutton    Additional Voice
Dave Kramer    Additional Voice
Mona Marshall    Additional Voice
Caitlin McKenna    Additional Voice
Scott Menville    Additional Voice
Jonathan Nicholas    Additional Voice
Paul Pape    Additional Voice
Juan Pope    Additional Voice
Michaelle Ruff    Additional Voice
Michael Sorich    Additional Voice
Pepper Sweeney    Additional Voice
Prano Bailey-Bond    Additional Voice
Gary Dunn    Additional Voice
Guy Faulkner    Additional Voice
Bugs Hartley    Additional Voice
Nick Haverson    Additional Voice
Brett Lloyd    Additional Voice
Mark Miller    Additional Voice
Will Pollock    Additional Voice
Adam Shaw    Additional Voice

Narrator(s)

Sigourney Weaver    Narrator

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Rob Stevenhagen    Director
Sam Fell    Director
Gary Ross    Screenwriter
Kate DiCamillo    Head of Story
Gary Ross    Producer
Allison Thomas    Producer
William Sargent    Executive Producer
Ryan Kavanaugh    Executive Producer
David Lipman    Executive Producer
Robin Bissell    Executive Producer
Mark Solomon    Editor
Tracy Shaw    Co-Producer
William Ross    Composer
Debra Zane    Casting Director
Celia Boydell    Associate Producer
Peiyu Foley    Associate Producer
Casey Crowe    Associate Producer
Jamal McLemore    Associate Producer
Tripp Hudson    Line Producer
Frederick Lissau    Production Manager
Lizi Bedford    Production Supervisor
Danielle Legovich    Production Supervisor
Amanda Davison    Production Supervisor
Rebecca Barbour    Production Supervisor
Kacy Durbridge    Production Supervisor
Rachel Wheeler    Production Supervisor
Evgeni Tomov    Production Designer
Olivier Adam    Supervising Art Director
Brad Blackbourn    Director of Photography
Claire Dodgson    Associate Editor
Chris Jenkins    Re-recording Mixer
Frank A. Montano    Re-recording Mixer
Paul Aulicino    Supervising Sound Editor
Paul Aulicino    Sound Effects Editor
Lon Bender    Sound Designer
Jon Title    Sound Designer
Peter Myles    Music Editor
Kathy Nelson    Music Supervisor
Will McRobb    Story Creator
Chris Viscardi    Story Creator
Tannis Vallely    Casting Director

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

DVD Sales - Bedtime has Storybook Opening

April 22nd, 2009

There were plenty of new releases to chart this week, including the top two sellers. The new number one was Bedtime Stories 1.46 million units for its first full week of release, while including early sales it has made $28.78 million from 1.68 million in sales. More...

DVD Rentals - Rental Chart Does Not Stand Still

April 22nd, 2009

There were six new releases to chart this week, but three of the top four were holdovers. That one new release was The Day the Earth Stood Still, which earned 50% more than last week's number one film, Marley and Me. More...

DVD Releases for April 7th, 2009 - Part II

April 7th, 2009

The last of the winter releases are trickling on to the home market; however, we are at the tale end of the hits and are getting the near misses now and that leaves a void in major hits at the top. I do like Deadliest Catch - Season 4, but I can't rate a featureless DVD as the DVD Pick of the Week. So that honor goes to Doubt, which is worth buying on DVD or Blu-ray. But I would go with the latter. As has become customary, this week's list has to be split into two, with the first part found here. More...

DVD Releases for April 7th, 2009 - Part I

April 7th, 2009

The last of the winter releases are trickling on to the home market; however, we are at the tale end of the hits and are getting the near misses now, which leaves a void in major hits at the top. I do like Deadliest Catch - Season 4, but I can't rate a featureless DVD as the DVD Pick of the Week. So that honor goes to Doubt, which is worth buying on DVD or Blu-ray. But I would go with the latter. As has become customary, this week's list has to be split into two, with the second part found here. More...

International Details - Day Starts to Set on International Chart

January 11th, 2009

The Day the Earth Stood Still fell out of the top five, as it was down 46% to $10.91 million on 5008 screens in 42 markets for a total of $129.59 million internationally and $204.01 million worldwide. The film's best market was Japan, where it remained in second place with $2.71 million on 642 screens over the weekend for a total of $19.19 million after three. More...

International Details - Bollywood Blockbuster Breaks into Top Five

January 5th, 2009

Ghajini was a surprise entry in the top five as the Indian film earned $12.85 million on 1347 screens in 22 markets, which is more than enough to be considered a monster hit. In fact, it set records in its native market and could break the record set by Dhoom 2 worldwide. More...

Marley a Gift to the Box Office

December 30th, 2008

Not every film lived up to expectations over the weekend, but more than enough did that we can safely say 2008 ended on a high note. Over the past three days, the box office pulled in $201 million, which was more than double last week's haul of $90 million. It was also close to 8% better than the same weekend last year, however, that's not enough for 2008 to recover, and it is still almost 1% behind last year's pace $9.55 billion to $9.63 billion. Ticket sales were off by more than 5%, which is the second worst decline in more than a decade. That said, nearly $10 billion in ticket sales is still huge, and as long as production budgets don't get out of hand, the industry is healthy. More...

International Details - The One tops $10 Million

December 28th, 2008

It turns out studio estimates were highly accurate, and the only real change from Wednesday's column involves a surprise $10 million film. If You Are The One opened in first place in China and fourth place internationally with $11.68 million on 1010 screens. More...

Holiday Estimates: Marley and Me Draws Family Audiences

December 28th, 2008

Fox emerged from the Christmas holiday weekend victorious thanks to an impressive opening by Marley & Me, which opened with an estimated $14.675 million on Christmas Day (an all-time record Christmas Day opening) and finished the weekend with $51.675 million, including $37 million over the three-day weekend Friday-Sunday. Studio estimates gave second and third places to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Bedtime Stories, which both also broke the previous record for biggest Christmas Day opening. Bedtime Stories finished the weekend with $38.6 million in total earnings and Button finished with $39 million. The two movies traded second and third spots through the long weekend, and we'll only know which movie finished top once we have final numbers on Monday. More...

Blizzard of New Releases for Christmas

December 24th, 2008

There are five films opening wide tomorrow, as well as a limited release expanding into more than 1000 theaters, which could be enough to propel it into the top ten. Given the weak new releases for the past few weeks, there is a chance all five wide releases will place in the top five, while it is unlikely any will bomb completely (even the two saddled with negative buzz). Compared to last Christmas, the box office could see some growth, which will help the year end on a positive note. More...

Contest - Desperate Tales - Winning Announcement

December 23rd, 2008

The winners of our Desperate Tales contest were determined and they are... More...

Moviegoers Say No to New Releases

December 23rd, 2008

For the second weekend in a row, all three wide releases missed expectations, and unlike last week, the holdovers were not able to compensate. This caused the overall box office to slip to just $89 million; that's down 3% from last weekend, and more troubling, 44% from the same weekend last year. This two-week slump has been so bad that 2008 has lost its lead vs. 2007 and is now behind $9.25 billion to $9.23 billion. Unacceptable. If the Christmas releases are not stellar, we will see a decline in the yearly number for the first time in three years, while we are nearly guaranteed to see a drop in ticket sales for the fifth time in six years. More...

Weekend Estimates: Jim Carrey Wins Battle of Titans

December 21st, 2008

Jim Carrey and Will Smith last squared off in movie theaters back in 2001. Back then, Smith scored the knockout blow as Ali opened with $14.7 million, while The Majestic could only manage an anemic $4.9 million. This time around, Carrey looks like the victor, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. Sony reports a $16 million opening for Seven Pounds -- a decent, but hardly impressive debut -- while Warner Bros. picked up a $18.16 million opening weekend for Yes Man. Neither result is particularly inspiring, however, and both movies missed our Friday predictions. More...

Movie Website Reviews for Weekend of December 19, 2008

December 20th, 2008

Just six sites on this week's list, and only one of them can be rated as anything more than average. However, The Tale of Despereaux's Official Site isn't just above average, it is the winner of the Weekly Website Award. More...

Battle of the Box Office Titans

December 19th, 2008

There week there are three wide releases, including the latest from Jim Carrey and the new film with Will Smith. Will Yes Man help Jim Carrey regain his box office crown, or will Seven Pounds help Will Smith tie the record for most $100 million movies in a row? Or will both come true and while helping 2008 maintain its lead over 2007? More...

Contest - Desperate Tales

December 12th, 2008

The number of truly wide releases is starting to get crowded with three opening next Friday. This includes The Tale of Despereaux, which we have prizes for, and therefore will be this week's target film. In order to win, one must simply predict the opening weekend box office of The Tale of Despereaux. Whoever comes the closest to predicting the film's opening 3-day weekend box office (Friday to Sunday), without going over, will win a The Tale of Despereaux prize pack, which includes poster, bookmark, Croc shoe decoration, clothing, and more. It's massive. Meanwhile, whoever comes the closest to predicting the film's opening 3-day weekend box office (Friday to Sunday), without going under, will win a T-shirt from The Longshots, as well as a Lobster Tale DVD. Entries must be received by 10 a.m., Pacific Time on Friday to be eligible, so don't delay! More...

2008 Preview: December

December 1st, 2008

We end the year with a winning streak, one that will hopefully continue right through the New Year holiday. It seems nearly every film released this month is either an Oscar contender or a potential $100 million hit. Sometimes both. If all six films with box office potentials of $100 million or more reach that milestone, and Bolt and Four Christmases have the legs to make it there as well, we could set the record for most $100 million released in a single year. (It is currently at 29 films set in 2003.) More...

Cast Updates - July 5, 2008

July 5th, 2008

This week's round of new casting information contains updates for Appaloosa, Bad Lieutenant, Night at the Museum 2, and more! More...

New Movie US Release Dates - May 13, 2007

May 13th, 2007

This week's round of new movie release information contains release dates for 1408, Illegal Tender, Mr. Woodcock and more. More...


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Full Financials
  7. Cast & Crew
  8. Trailer

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$10,103,675 (19.9% of total gross)
Legs:5.04 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:56.2% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$60,000,000 (worldwide box office is 1.5 times production budget)
Theater counts:3,104 opening theaters/3,107 max. theaters, 4.6 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $74,163,590

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists


Watch Now On

iTunes:iTunes
Netflix:Netflix

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: December 19th, 2008 (Wide) by Universal
Video Release: April 7th, 2009 by Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: G
Running Time: 93 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Antz
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Talking Animals, Animal Lead, Family Adventure, Medieval, Slow Motion Scene, Rescue
Source:Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre:Adventure
Production Method:Digital Animation
Creative Type:Kids Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Universal Pictures
Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 226 $6,939,295 Jan 2, 2009 17
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 304 $10,455,201 Jan 2, 2009 17
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day) 177 $8,932,625 Dec 26, 2008 10
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 235 $14,058,307 Dec 26, 2008 10

Leading Cast

Matthew Broderick    Despereaux

Supporting Cast

Robbie Coltrane    Gregory
Dustin Hoffman    Roscuro
Richard Jenkins    Principal
Kevin Kline    Andre
Frank Langella    Mayor
William H. Macy    Lester
Tracey Ullman    Miggery Sow
Frances Conroy    Antoinette
Tony Hale    Furlough
Ciaran Hinds    Botticelli
Christopher Lloyd    Hovis
Charles Shaughnessy    Pietro
Stanley Tucci    Boldo
Emma Watson    Princess Pea
Patricia Cullen    Queen
Sam Fell    Ned/Smudge
Jane Karen    Louise
Bronson Pinchot    Town Crier
McNally Sagal    Teacher
Matt Adler    Additional Voice
Steve Alterman    Additional Voice
Stephen F. Apostolina    Additional Voice
Kirk Baily    Additional Voice
Robert Clotworthy    Additional Voice
Georgina Cordova    Additional Voice
David Cowgill    Additional Voice
Kat Cressida    Additional Voice
Wendy Cutler    Additional Voice
Robin Atkin Downes    Additional Voice
Eddie Frierson    Additional Voice
Jessica George    Additional Voice
Jackie Gonneau    Additional Voice
Nicholas Guest    Additional Voice
Bridget Hoffman    Additional Voice
Rif Hutton    Additional Voice
Dave Kramer    Additional Voice
Mona Marshall    Additional Voice
Caitlin McKenna    Additional Voice
Scott Menville    Additional Voice
Jonathan Nicholas    Additional Voice
Paul Pape    Additional Voice
Juan Pope    Additional Voice
Michaelle Ruff    Additional Voice
Michael Sorich    Additional Voice
Pepper Sweeney    Additional Voice
Prano Bailey-Bond    Additional Voice
Gary Dunn    Additional Voice
Guy Faulkner    Additional Voice
Bugs Hartley    Additional Voice
Nick Haverson    Additional Voice
Brett Lloyd    Additional Voice
Mark Miller    Additional Voice
Will Pollock    Additional Voice
Adam Shaw    Additional Voice

Narrator(s)

Sigourney Weaver    Narrator

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Rob Stevenhagen    Director
Sam Fell    Director
Gary Ross    Screenwriter
Kate DiCamillo    Head of Story
Gary Ross    Producer
Allison Thomas    Producer
William Sargent    Executive Producer
Ryan Kavanaugh    Executive Producer
David Lipman    Executive Producer
Robin Bissell    Executive Producer
Mark Solomon    Editor
Tracy Shaw    Co-Producer
William Ross    Composer
Debra Zane    Casting Director
Celia Boydell    Associate Producer
Peiyu Foley    Associate Producer
Casey Crowe    Associate Producer
Jamal McLemore    Associate Producer
Tripp Hudson    Line Producer
Frederick Lissau    Production Manager
Lizi Bedford    Production Supervisor
Danielle Legovich    Production Supervisor
Amanda Davison    Production Supervisor
Rebecca Barbour    Production Supervisor
Kacy Durbridge    Production Supervisor
Rachel Wheeler    Production Supervisor
Evgeni Tomov    Production Designer
Olivier Adam    Supervising Art Director
Brad Blackbourn    Director of Photography
Claire Dodgson    Associate Editor
Chris Jenkins    Re-recording Mixer
Frank A. Montano    Re-recording Mixer
Paul Aulicino    Supervising Sound Editor
Paul Aulicino    Sound Effects Editor
Lon Bender    Sound Designer
Jon Title    Sound Designer
Peter Myles    Music Editor
Kathy Nelson    Music Supervisor
Will McRobb    Story Creator
Chris Viscardi    Story Creator
Tannis Vallely    Casting Director

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

DVD Sales - Bedtime has Storybook Opening

April 22nd, 2009

There were plenty of new releases to chart this week, including the top two sellers. The new number one was Bedtime Stories 1.46 million units for its first full week of release, while including early sales it has made $28.78 million from 1.68 million in sales. More...

DVD Rentals - Rental Chart Does Not Stand Still

April 22nd, 2009

There were six new releases to chart this week, but three of the top four were holdovers. That one new release was The Day the Earth Stood Still, which earned 50% more than last week's number one film, Marley and Me. More...

DVD Releases for April 7th, 2009 - Part II

April 7th, 2009

The last of the winter releases are trickling on to the home market; however, we are at the tale end of the hits and are getting the near misses now and that leaves a void in major hits at the top. I do like Deadliest Catch - Season 4, but I can't rate a featureless DVD as the DVD Pick of the Week. So that honor goes to Doubt, which is worth buying on DVD or Blu-ray. But I would go with the latter. As has become customary, this week's list has to be split into two, with the first part found here. More...

DVD Releases for April 7th, 2009 - Part I

April 7th, 2009

The last of the winter releases are trickling on to the home market; however, we are at the tale end of the hits and are getting the near misses now, which leaves a void in major hits at the top. I do like Deadliest Catch - Season 4, but I can't rate a featureless DVD as the DVD Pick of the Week. So that honor goes to Doubt, which is worth buying on DVD or Blu-ray. But I would go with the latter. As has become customary, this week's list has to be split into two, with the second part found here. More...

International Details - Day Starts to Set on International Chart

January 11th, 2009

The Day the Earth Stood Still fell out of the top five, as it was down 46% to $10.91 million on 5008 screens in 42 markets for a total of $129.59 million internationally and $204.01 million worldwide. The film's best market was Japan, where it remained in second place with $2.71 million on 642 screens over the weekend for a total of $19.19 million after three. More...

International Details - Bollywood Blockbuster Breaks into Top Five

January 5th, 2009

Ghajini was a surprise entry in the top five as the Indian film earned $12.85 million on 1347 screens in 22 markets, which is more than enough to be considered a monster hit. In fact, it set records in its native market and could break the record set by Dhoom 2 worldwide. More...

Marley a Gift to the Box Office

December 30th, 2008

Not every film lived up to expectations over the weekend, but more than enough did that we can safely say 2008 ended on a high note. Over the past three days, the box office pulled in $201 million, which was more than double last week's haul of $90 million. It was also close to 8% better than the same weekend last year, however, that's not enough for 2008 to recover, and it is still almost 1% behind last year's pace $9.55 billion to $9.63 billion. Ticket sales were off by more than 5%, which is the second worst decline in more than a decade. That said, nearly $10 billion in ticket sales is still huge, and as long as production budgets don't get out of hand, the industry is healthy. More...

International Details - The One tops $10 Million

December 28th, 2008

It turns out studio estimates were highly accurate, and the only real change from Wednesday's column involves a surprise $10 million film. If You Are The One opened in first place in China and fourth place internationally with $11.68 million on 1010 screens. More...

Holiday Estimates: Marley and Me Draws Family Audiences

December 28th, 2008

Fox emerged from the Christmas holiday weekend victorious thanks to an impressive opening by Marley & Me, which opened with an estimated $14.675 million on Christmas Day (an all-time record Christmas Day opening) and finished the weekend with $51.675 million, including $37 million over the three-day weekend Friday-Sunday. Studio estimates gave second and third places to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Bedtime Stories, which both also broke the previous record for biggest Christmas Day opening. Bedtime Stories finished the weekend with $38.6 million in total earnings and Button finished with $39 million. The two movies traded second and third spots through the long weekend, and we'll only know which movie finished top once we have final numbers on Monday. More...

Blizzard of New Releases for Christmas

December 24th, 2008

There are five films opening wide tomorrow, as well as a limited release expanding into more than 1000 theaters, which could be enough to propel it into the top ten. Given the weak new releases for the past few weeks, there is a chance all five wide releases will place in the top five, while it is unlikely any will bomb completely (even the two saddled with negative buzz). Compared to last Christmas, the box office could see some growth, which will help the year end on a positive note. More...

Contest - Desperate Tales - Winning Announcement

December 23rd, 2008

The winners of our Desperate Tales contest were determined and they are... More...

Moviegoers Say No to New Releases

December 23rd, 2008

For the second weekend in a row, all three wide releases missed expectations, and unlike last week, the holdovers were not able to compensate. This caused the overall box office to slip to just $89 million; that's down 3% from last weekend, and more troubling, 44% from the same weekend last year. This two-week slump has been so bad that 2008 has lost its lead vs. 2007 and is now behind $9.25 billion to $9.23 billion. Unacceptable. If the Christmas releases are not stellar, we will see a decline in the yearly number for the first time in three years, while we are nearly guaranteed to see a drop in ticket sales for the fifth time in six years. More...

Weekend Estimates: Jim Carrey Wins Battle of Titans

December 21st, 2008

Jim Carrey and Will Smith last squared off in movie theaters back in 2001. Back then, Smith scored the knockout blow as Ali opened with $14.7 million, while The Majestic could only manage an anemic $4.9 million. This time around, Carrey looks like the victor, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. Sony reports a $16 million opening for Seven Pounds -- a decent, but hardly impressive debut -- while Warner Bros. picked up a $18.16 million opening weekend for Yes Man. Neither result is particularly inspiring, however, and both movies missed our Friday predictions. More...

Movie Website Reviews for Weekend of December 19, 2008

December 20th, 2008

Just six sites on this week's list, and only one of them can be rated as anything more than average. However, The Tale of Despereaux's Official Site isn't just above average, it is the winner of the Weekly Website Award. More...

Battle of the Box Office Titans

December 19th, 2008

There week there are three wide releases, including the latest from Jim Carrey and the new film with Will Smith. Will Yes Man help Jim Carrey regain his box office crown, or will Seven Pounds help Will Smith tie the record for most $100 million movies in a row? Or will both come true and while helping 2008 maintain its lead over 2007? More...

Contest - Desperate Tales

December 12th, 2008

The number of truly wide releases is starting to get crowded with three opening next Friday. This includes The Tale of Despereaux, which we have prizes for, and therefore will be this week's target film. In order to win, one must simply predict the opening weekend box office of The Tale of Despereaux. Whoever comes the closest to predicting the film's opening 3-day weekend box office (Friday to Sunday), without going over, will win a The Tale of Despereaux prize pack, which includes poster, bookmark, Croc shoe decoration, clothing, and more. It's massive. Meanwhile, whoever comes the closest to predicting the film's opening 3-day weekend box office (Friday to Sunday), without going under, will win a T-shirt from The Longshots, as well as a Lobster Tale DVD. Entries must be received by 10 a.m., Pacific Time on Friday to be eligible, so don't delay! More...

2008 Preview: December

December 1st, 2008

We end the year with a winning streak, one that will hopefully continue right through the New Year holiday. It seems nearly every film released this month is either an Oscar contender or a potential $100 million hit. Sometimes both. If all six films with box office potentials of $100 million or more reach that milestone, and Bolt and Four Christmases have the legs to make it there as well, we could set the record for most $100 million released in a single year. (It is currently at 29 films set in 2003.) More...

Cast Updates - July 5, 2008

July 5th, 2008

This week's round of new casting information contains updates for Appaloosa, Bad Lieutenant, Night at the Museum 2, and more! More...

New Movie US Release Dates - May 13, 2007

May 13th, 2007

This week's round of new movie release information contains release dates for 1408, Illegal Tender, Mr. Woodcock and more. More...

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 19, 2008 3 $10,103,675   3,104 $3,255   $10,103,675 1
Dec 26, 2008 7 $8,932,625 -12% 3,107 $2,875   $27,448,085 2
Jan 2, 2009 7 $6,939,295 -22% 3,091 $2,245   $43,661,775 3
Jan 9, 2009 13 $2,733,585 -61% 2,297 $1,190   $47,584,450 4
Jan 16, 2009 24 $713,595 -74% 870 $820   $48,872,100 5
Jan 23, 2009 30 $288,540 -60% 380 $759   $49,604,065 6
Jan 30, 2009 30 $229,175 -21% 312 $735   $49,899,955 7
Feb 6, 2009 33 $223,560 -2% 276 $810   $50,176,530 8
Feb 13, 2009 38 $181,050 -19% 255 $710   $50,411,335 9
Feb 20, 2009 39 $130,395 -28% 221 $590   $50,653,875 10
Feb 27, 2009 42 $135,145 +4% 248 $545   $50,818,750 11

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross%YD%LWTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Dec 19, 2008 3 $3,538,560     3,104 $1,140   $3,538,560 1
Dec 20, 2008 4 $3,802,555 +7%   3,104 $1,225   $7,341,115 2
Dec 21, 2008 4 $2,762,560 -27%   3,104 $890   $10,103,675 3
Dec 22, 2008 2 $2,483,145 -10%   3,104 $800   $12,586,820 4
Dec 23, 2008 2 $2,436,640 -2%   3,104 $785   $15,023,460 5
Dec 24, 2008 2 $1,520,960 -38%   3,104 $490   $16,544,420 6
Dec 25, 2008 10 $1,971,040 +30%   3,107 $634   $18,515,460 7
Dec 26, 2008 7 $3,169,140 +61% -10% 3,107 $1,020   $21,684,600 8
Dec 27, 2008 7 $3,293,420 +4% -13% 3,107 $1,060   $24,978,020 9
Dec 28, 2008 7 $2,470,065 -25% -11% 3,107 $795   $27,448,085 10
Dec 29, 2008 7 $2,268,110 -8% -9% 3,107 $730   $29,716,195 11
Dec 30, 2008 7 $2,407,925 +6% -1% 3,107 $775   $32,124,120 12
Dec 31, 2008 - $1,895,270 -21% +25% 3,107 $610   $34,019,390 13
Jan 1, 2009 - $2,703,090 +43% +37% 3,107 $870   $36,722,480 14
Jan 2, 2009 7 $2,797,355 +3% -12% 3,091 $905   $39,519,835 15
Jan 3, 2009 7 $2,503,710 -10% -24% 3,091 $810   $42,023,545 16
Jan 4, 2009 7 $1,638,230 -35% -34% 3,091 $530   $43,661,775 17
Jan 5, 2009 9 $386,375 -76% -83% 3,091 $125   $44,048,150 18
Jan 6, 2009 13 $262,735 -32% -89% 3,091 $85   $44,310,885 19
Jan 7, 2009 13 $261,995 n/c -86% 3,091 $85   $44,572,880 20
Jan 8, 2009 11 $277,985 +6% -90% 3,091 $90   $44,850,865 21
Jan 9, 2009 14 $620,345 +123% -78% 2,297 $270   $45,471,210 22
Jan 10, 2009 12 $1,251,865 +102% -50% 2,297 $545   $46,723,075 23
Jan 11, 2009 12 $861,375 -31% -47% 2,297 $375   $47,584,450 24
Jan 12, 2009 17 $126,335 -85% -67% 2,297 $55   $47,710,785 25
Jan 13, 2009 - $137,820 +9% -48% 2,297 $60   $47,848,605 26
Jan 14, 2009 - $137,955 n/c -47% 2,297 $60   $47,986,560 27
Jan 15, 2009 - $171,945 +25% -38% 2,297 $75   $48,158,505 28
Jan 16, 2009 - $152,375 -11% -75% 870 $175   $48,310,880 29
Jan 17, 2009 - $326,265 +114% -74% 870 $375   $48,637,145 30
Jan 18, 2009 - $234,955 -28% -73% 870 $270   $48,872,100 31
Jan 19, 2009 20 $313,200 +33% +148% 870 $360   $49,185,300 32
Jan 20, 2009 - $39,150 -88% -72% 870 $45   $49,224,450 33
Jan 21, 2009 - $43,225 +10% -69% 870 $50   $49,267,675 34
Jan 22, 2009 - $47,850 +11% -72% 870 $55   $49,315,525 35
Jan 23, 2009 - $56,955 +19% -63% 380 $150   $49,372,480 36
Jan 24, 2009 - $130,990 +130% -60% 380 $345   $49,503,470 37
Jan 25, 2009 - $100,595 -23% -57% 380 $265   $49,604,065 38
Jan 26, 2009 - $17,100 -83% -95% 380 $45   $49,621,165 39
Jan 27, 2009 - $15,315 -10% -61% 380 $40   $49,636,480 40
Jan 28, 2009 - $17,075 +11% -60% 380 $45   $49,653,555 41
Jan 29, 2009 - $17,225 +1% -64% 380 $45   $49,670,780 42
Jan 30, 2009 - $59,150 +243% +4% 312 $190   $49,729,930 43
Jan 31, 2009 - $115,440 +95% -12% 312 $370   $49,845,370 44
Feb 1, 2009 - $54,585 -53% -46% 312 $175   $49,899,955 45
Feb 2, 2009 - $12,480 -77% -27% 312 $40   $49,912,435 46
Feb 3, 2009 - $13,905 +11% -9% 312 $45   $49,926,340 47
Feb 4, 2009 - $12,625 -9% -26% 312 $40   $49,938,965 48
Feb 5, 2009 - $14,005 +11% -19% 312 $45   $49,952,970 49
Feb 6, 2009 - $51,060 +265% -14% 276 $185   $50,004,030 50
Feb 7, 2009 - $106,260 +108% -8% 276 $385   $50,110,290 51
Feb 8, 2009 - $66,240 -38% +21% 276 $240   $50,176,530 52
Feb 9, 2009 - $15,180 -77% +22% 276 $55   $50,191,710 53
Feb 10, 2009 - $12,395 -18% -11% 276 $45   $50,204,105 54
Feb 11, 2009 - $10,965 -12% -13% 276 $40   $50,215,070 55
Feb 12, 2009 - $15,215 +39% +9% 276 $55   $50,230,285 56
Feb 13, 2009 - $35,700 +135% -30% 255 $140   $50,265,985 57
Feb 14, 2009 - $86,700 +143% -18% 255 $340   $50,352,685 58
Feb 15, 2009 - $58,650 -32% -11% 255 $230   $50,411,335 59
Feb 16, 2009 31 $62,475 +7% +312% 255 $245   $50,473,810 60
Feb 17, 2009 - $16,600 -73% +34% 255 $65   $50,490,410 61
Feb 18, 2009 - $16,495 -1% +50% 255 $65   $50,506,905 62
Feb 19, 2009 - $16,575 n/c +9% 255 $65   $50,523,480 63
Feb 20, 2009 - $29,835 +80% -16% 221 $135   $50,553,315 64
Feb 21, 2009 - $58,565 +96% -32% 221 $265   $50,611,880 65
Feb 22, 2009 - $41,995 -28% -28% 221 $190   $50,653,875 66
Feb 23, 2009 - $6,630 -84% -89% 221 $30   $50,660,505 67
Feb 24, 2009 - $7,665 +16% -54% 221 $35   $50,668,170 68
Feb 25, 2009 - $6,595 -14% -60% 221 $30   $50,674,765 69
Feb 26, 2009 - $8,840 +34% -47% 221 $40   $50,683,605 70
Feb 27, 2009 - $21,080 +138% -29% 248 $85   $50,704,685 71
Feb 28, 2009 - $74,385 +253% +27% 248 $300   $50,779,070 72
Mar 1, 2009 - $39,680 -47% -6% 248 $160   $50,818,750 73
Mar 2, 2009 - $12,445 -69% +88% 248 $50   $50,831,195 74
Mar 3, 2009 - $14,905 +20% +94% 248 $60   $50,846,100 75
Mar 4, 2009 - $14,845 n/c +125% 248 $60   $50,860,945 76
Mar 5, 2009 - $16,200 +9% +83% 248 $65   $50,877,145 77

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 19, 2008 3 $18,577,540   3,104 $5,985   $18,577,540 1
Dec 26, 2008 7 $18,207,020 -2% 3,107 $5,860   $36,722,480 2
Jan 2, 2009 7 $8,128,385 -55% 3,091 $2,630   $44,850,865 3
Jan 9, 2009 14 $3,307,640 -59% 2,297 $1,440   $48,158,505 4
Jan 16, 2009 24 $1,157,020 -65% 870 $1,330   $49,315,525 5
Jan 23, 2009 29 $355,255 -69% 380 $935   $49,670,780 6
Jan 30, 2009 32 $282,190 -21% 312 $904   $49,952,970 7
Feb 6, 2009 34 $277,315 -2% 276 $1,005   $50,230,285 8
Feb 13, 2009 38 $293,195 +6% 255 $1,150   $50,523,480 9
Feb 20, 2009 39 $160,125 -45% 221 $725   $50,683,605 10
Feb 27, 2009 41 $193,540 +21% 248 $780   $50,877,145 11

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


Weekly US DVD Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week
% ChangeTotal
Units
Spending
this
Week
Total
Spending
Weeks
in
Release
Apr 12, 20096749,409 749,409$12,732,459$12,732,4591
Apr 19, 20099157,622-79% 907,031$2,677,998$15,410,4572
Apr 26, 20091595,714-39% 1,002,745$1,626,181$17,036,6383
May 3, 20091779,288-17% 1,082,033$1,347,103$18,383,7414
May 10, 20092458,275-27% 1,140,308$990,092$19,373,8335
May 17, 20093037,936-35% 1,178,244$644,533$20,018,3666
Nov 15, 20091667,486 1,384,441$1,011,615$23,343,40332
Nov 29, 200921218,324 1,606,572$1,633,064$25,033,53434
Apr 4, 20103052,041 1,702,289$519,890$26,111,33252

Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue are available through our research services. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com.