Martha Marcy May Marlene Makes the Most on Per Theater Chart

October 25, 2011

Martha Marcy May Marlene was one of five films to top $10,000 on the per theater chart leading the way with $34,413. Combining the film's opening with its reviews and it suggests serious potential for expansion. Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey opened with $22,963 in its lone theater, which is surprisingly strong. The overall box office leader, Paranormal Activity 3, was next with $15,829. Last week's winner on the per theater chart, The Skin I Live In, remained strong with an average of $11,771 in 21 theaters. Further expansion is likely, as it is earning some measure of mainstream success, but its bizarre subject matter will prevent it from truly escaping the art house circuit. Margin Call was a surprise entrant in the $10,000 club, as it was playing in 56 theaters, which is a lot for a limited release. Its opening weekend average of $10,034 and excellent reviews suggests some potential to expand, while reaching $1 million should happen sometime during the upcoming weekend.

There were plenty other new limited releases, but only a couple came close to $10,000 on the per theater chart. Revenge of the Electric Car earned an average of $8,741 in two theaters. Meanwhile, Paul Goodman Changed My Life opened in one theater earning $5,754 from Friday through Sunday, but $9,754 since Wednesday. Snowmen opened with an estimated $66,000 in 15 theaters for an average of $4,400. After final numbers are known, it might change places with Le Havre, which earnt an average of $4,394 in six theaters. Elevate opened with a lowly $3,547 in its only theater. The Last Ride won't last long with an average of just $2,324 in seven theaters. The Catechism Cataclysm opened well below the Mendoza Line with just $897 in one theater, while Balls to the Walls was weaker still with an averate of $314 in ten.

The only Per Theater Chart alum to reach a major milestone was The Way, which topped $1 million after just three weeks of release. Granted, it should see its theater count fall pretty fast from now on, but getting to $2 million shouldn't be too difficult.


-

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Theater Averages, Snowmen, Margin Call, The Way, Paranormal Activity 3, La piel que habito, Revenge of the Electric Car, Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Catechism Cataclysm, Paul Goodman Changed My Life, Balls to the Wall, Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey, Le Havre, Elevate, The Last Ride