Per Theater Chart: Birdman Still Soars

October 28, 2014

Birdman poster

Despite growing its theater count to 50, Birdman was able to remain in top spot on the per theater chart with a powerful average of $27,593. Next up was CitizenFour, which was really close behind with an average of $25,264 in five theaters. This is excellent for a documentary, but as a documentary, it's chances of expanding significantly are limited. Laggies will likely expand somewhat after opening with an average of $14,828, also in five theaters. It has a much more mainstream appeal, so it if does expand, it could do well. Then again, this is never an easy strategy and I'm sure the studio will be happy with a strong home market run. Force Majeure was the final film in the $10,000 club with an average of $11,655 in two theaters.

There were several other new limited releases that did quite well, but there were also several that didn't. On the high end, Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me opened with an average of $8,674 in ten theaters, which is very good for a documentary. The Principle was virtually tied with the previous film with $8,657 in one theater. Low Down earned $7,000 in one theater over the weekend.

On the downside, there were five films that missed the Mendoza Line. White Bird in a Blizzard was the closest with an average of $1,576 in four theaters. Its reviews were not great, but they were certainly not bad. Likewise, 1,000 Times Goodnight really struggled with an average of $1,005 in 24 theaters. 23 Blast flopped with an average of just $546, but it was playing in just over 600 theaters. Two-Bit Waltz only managed $136 in one theater, while Rhymes for Young Ghouls only managed $70, also in one theater.

This past week also saw milestones reached for a few Per Theater Chart alumni:

  • Pride crossed $1 million over the weekend and is has a slim chance at getting to $2 million.
  • Dear White People also crossed $1 million over the weekend. In fact, it earned $1 million over the weekend. It won't expand significantly from now on, but it should still reach another milestone or three in the coming weeks.
  • Birdman also earned $1 million over the weekend and by the end of business on Sunday, it had just topped $2 million.
  • Kill the Messenger got to $2 million just before the weekend, but it is likely that's as far as it will go.
  • Meet the Mormons reached $5 million just before the weekend, but that's as far as it will go.


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Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Theater Averages, 23 Blast, Kill the Messenger, Laggies, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), White Bird in a Blizzard, Dear White People, Turist, Pride, Low Down, Meet the Mormons, Tusen ganger god natt, The Principle, Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me, Rhymes for Young Ghouls, CitizenFour, Two-Bit Waltz