Weekend Estimates: Thor Tops Strong Opening for Bridesmaids

May 15, 2011

A bigger-than-expected opening for Bridesmaids gave the market a welcome shot in the arm this weekend, according to studio estimates. While the comedy didn't top the weekend, it did top most predictions (although C.S. just about nailed it in his Friday column) with an estimated debut of $24.4 million, continuing an excellent run for Universal after a long stretch of under-performance. Thor remained top of the chart though, and will drop a respectable 47% according to Paramount's figures. That puts it on track for about $170 million in total, which isn't bad for the first outing in a franchise, although hardly record-breaking.

Priest in 3D just about met expectations with an opening estimated at $14.5 million, which placed it 4th on the chart behind Fast Five, which scored $19.5 million in its third weekend. The biggest winner among returning movies, however, was Rio, which, thanks to a lack of competition dropped just 6% in its fifth weekend to $8 million.

In limited release, Everything Must Go is having a good opening weekend and is projected to pick up $825,000 in 218 venues for Roadside Attractions, which is becoming a significant player in the indie world and is currently outpacing Sony Pictures Classics this year. In even more limited release, L'Amour Fou earned an impressive $35,000 in just two theaters for IFC Films.

- 3-Day Weekend Estimates
- Friday Daily Estimates
- Saturday Daily Estimates
- Sunday Daily Projections

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Thor, Priest, Rio, Fast Five, Bridesmaids, Everything Must Go, L'Amour Fou