Treasure Hunters find Gold

November 22, 2004

Not only did we have a new winning at the box office, it wasn't the film expected to challenge for top spot. More importantly, there was a significant increase at the box office both from last weekend (3.5%) and especially from last year (11.7%.) Year to Date 2004 extends its lead to 2.4%, $8.0 billion to $7.8 billion.

Surprisingly, National Treasure was able to take top spot with $35.1 million, that's easily the best opening Nicolas Cage beating Gone in 60 Seconds by nearly $10 million. Even with medicore reviews, the upcoming holidays should help the film over $100 million domestically.

Oooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh!
Who Lives in a Pineapple under the sea?
SpongeBob SquarePants
Little kids and drunk college students were come out in droves over the weekend helping SpongeBob SquarePants earn a $32.0 million, second place finish. With better than expected reviews, holidays coming up and widespread appeal, this film should become one of the surprise $100 million movies of 2004.

SpongeBob SquarePants did what Polar Express couldn't do, take a chunk out of The Incredibles' box office. Pulling in $26.5 million over the weekend was still good enough to place the film in 16th on the all-time list of best 3rd Weekends, but will still be seen as a bit of a disappointment. However, the film has already earned enough at the box office to cover its production budget and with Thanksgiving Weekend coming up, it will show a profit by this time next week.

On the other hand, Polar Express held up better than expected taking in $15.7 million over the weekend. However, unlike The Incredibles, this film is nowhere near profitability and will have to hope it becomes a perennial Christmas favorite before the studio will recoup its investment.

The fact that Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason's per theatre average dropped was not a shock, but the fact that it dropped 75% is shocking. And with a second weekend box office of just $10.0 million and a two weekend running tally of just over $21 million, this film will finish well below the original. But as long as it can avoid this kind of collapse internationally, it will still be a huge hit worldwide.


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Filed under: The Incredibles, The Polar Express, National Treasure, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie, Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason