Weekend Wrap-Up: Super Surpasses Most Predictions

June 13, 2011

Nearly every film in the top five beat Thursday's predictions, and the one film that didn't landed within a rounding error of doing so. This helped the overall box office reach $138 million for the weekend, but while this was better than expected, it was still 14% lower than last weekend and 9% lower than the same weekend last year. Year-to-date, 2011 is behind 2010 by 7% at $4.43 billion to $4.76 billion, but this is better than it has been for the majority of the year.

Super 8 opened with $35.45 million during its opening weekend, plus $1 million for Thursday's limited showings. Not only is this better than expected, but the J.J. Abrams / Steven Spielberg film was buoyed by strong reviews and good legs. Its rare for a blockbuster film to have its daily numbers grow from Friday to Saturday. Should it continue this performance over the coming weeks, then $100 million becomes a very realistic goal. However, it's smart to worry about one week at a time and there is a chance that the two wide releases for next week could prove to be too much competition.

X-Men: First Class finishes the weekend within a rounding error of expectations with $24.13 million over the weekend and $98.02 million after two. At this pace, the film has likely already became the 11th film released in 2011 to hit $100 million. Given its reviews, $150 million is a solid goal at this point.

As expected, The Hangover 2 topped $200 million on Friday and by Saturday the film had become the biggest hit of the year so far. With $17.67 million over the weekend, the film now has $215.73 million in total. And while it won't top the original, it has already made more than enough to completely pay for its production, advertisting, etc.

Kung Fu Panda 2 added $16.54 million over the weekend, lifting its total to $126.81 million after three. The film should have little trouble getting to $150 million, but its predecessor's total is safe.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides also cracked $200 million over the weekend, earning $10.95 million over the weekend for a total of $208.87 million after four. While it is destined to become the weakest release in the franchise domestically, it is compensating for that internationally.

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. only managed seventh place with $6.08 million in more than 2500 theaters. This is a disappointing opening, but in line with its reviews.

Midnight in Paris was right behind with $5.83 million over the weekend for a total of $13.91 million after four. The film is now ahead of Bullets Over Broadway on Wood Allen's career hit list, while it is just about to overtake Radio Days. Plus, the film's per theater average is strong enough to suggest some room to expand further.


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Filed under: Weekend Estimates, The Hangover Part II, Kung Fu Panda 2, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Midnight in Paris, X-Men: First Class, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, Super 8