Weekend Estimates: Four Christmases Stays Top

December 7, 2008

Four Christmases held on at the top of the chart for a second weekend, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. The comedy fell only 41%, the best hold in the top ten, and easily topped the chart ahead of Twilight, which had a better third week, down around 50% to $13 million. The wide openers were generally weak. Punisher: War Zone only managed $4 million in 2,508 theaters. Cadillac Records did much better on a per theater basis, averaging over $5,000 per location, but limited release in 686 theaters meant it was only able to land in 9th place with $3.5 million.

Nobel Son was the biggest disappointment, earning just $370,000 from 893 theaters. The well-reviewed black comedy just wasn't able to find an audience in theaters, but Freestyle hopes it will do better in the home market.

Once more, there were strong performances among the limited releases. Frost/Nixon had a fantastic opening weekend with $180,000 in just three theaters, and the best per theater average for a major studio release this year. Milk and Slumdog Millionaire both did well on their continued roll-outs, earning about $1.7 million and $1.4 million respectively, and both scoring in the high teens in each theater.

- Weekend Estimates

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Twilight, Slumdog Millionaire, Four Christmases, Milk, Frost/Nixon, Cadillac Records, Punisher: War Zone, Nobel Son