Weekend Numbers: Lantern in the Green, But Overall Box Office in the Red

June 20, 2011

The overall box office box office this past weekend was as expected, more or less. A few of the films did a little bit better, a few missed expectations, but not by a lot. This helped the box office grow by 11% from last weekend to $153 million. Unfortunately, this weekend last year saw the release of Toy Story 3, which made $110 million by itself, so year-over-year there was a 23% drop-off. Year-to-date, 2011 is behind 2010 by 8% at $4.65 billion to $5.03 billion, but perhaps we can close that gap a little bit this coming weekend.

Green Lantern opened with $53.17 million, which is really close to Thursday's prediction, but a little low compared to other comic book movies that have earned a summer release date. Also, given its reviews, it is unlikely the movie will bounce back over the coming weeks. Add in a $200 million production budget and this film might have trouble showing a profit anytime soon. If it is a big hit internationally and on the home market, it might be enough. Or perhaps the film's release will boost comic book and other merchandise sales and the studio will earn back its costs that way.

Super 8 was down less than 40% during its second weekend of release with $21.47 million over the past three days for a total of $73.00 million after ten. At this pace, reaching $100 million is practically guaranteed. It's great to see a film with strong reviews rewarded with equally strong legs.

Mr. Popper's Penguins's opening was a bit mixed. It debuted in third place with $18.45 million. This is more than Thursday's prediction of $15 million, but less than expected at the beginning of the month. Looking to the future, the film could benefit from solid legs, as it is a family film and that target audience tends to reward films with repeat costumers. On the other hand, its reviews are only average for a family film, plus it has massive direct competition opening next weekend, and early reviews suggest that film will be much, much better.

X-Men: First Class earned $11.93 million over the weekend for a total of $120.36 million after three. It will likely be the weakest film in the franchise domestically, but it is close to overtaking X-Men worldwide. As long as the film does well on the home market, and Blu-ray sales should be strong, then it will break even sooner rather than later. And with the major changes in the comic book line, the film could help boost sales there.

The Hangover 2 won the race for fifth place over Kung Fu Panda 2 $10.07 million to $9.03 million. Neither sequel will match their respective predecessors, but both should finish with enough revenue worldwide to keep their studios happy.

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer collapsed during its sophomore stint down a massive 65% to just $2.10 million over the weekend and $11.03 million after two. Kids movies usually show better than average legs, but I guess the direct competition was too much.

With Judy Moody falling apart, The Art of Getting By had a real shot at tenth place and all it needed to do was match the low end of expectations. Sadly, it couldn't do that and bombed earning just $679,000 in 610 theater. I won't be surprised if by the first weekend in July the film is all but gone from theaters.


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Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Green Lantern, The Hangover Part II, Kung Fu Panda 2, X-Men: First Class, The Art of Getting By, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, Super 8, Mr. Poppers's Penguins