Weekend Estimates: Sherlock and Alvin Can't Save Christmas

December 18, 2011

While openings of about $40 million for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and $23.5 million for Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip Wrecked are good in comparison to recent openings, both films will fall well below the openings of their predecessors. 2009's Sherlock Holmes posted an opening of $62.3 million and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel posted $48.9 million. So the two movies combined are off almost $50 million from their openings two year ago at a time when the industry badly needs a shot in the arm.

One encouraging sign is the debut of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, which is headed for an opening around $13 million in 425 IMAX and large format screens. Its expansion this week will be closely watched.

Also doing well in limited release were Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy with around $450,000 in 16 theaters, and The Artist with $290,000 in 17. Carnage will post about $86,000 in five venues, which is undoubtedly good, but not enough to suggest it will be a big box office force.

- Weekend Estimates

Bruce Nash (

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Carnage, The Artist