Weekend Estimates: The Rite Tops Another Slow Weekend

January 30, 2011

It looks like another slow weekend at the box office, based on studio estimates released on Sunday, but there are some signs of improvement, thanks to a couple of decent openings and some healthy performances by Oscar hopefuls. The Rite debuted with an estimated $15 million, about in line with expectations, while The Mechanic posted $11.5 million, which is a little ahead of the consensus going into the weekend.

Among the Oscar nominees, 127 Hours posted the best weekend-to-weekend performance with an aggressive expansion by Fox Searchlight helping it to a shade over $2 million - its best weekend, after nearly three months in theaters. The King's Speech was the major beneficiary in dollar terms, though, topping $10 million for the first time in its run and passing $70 million in total.

Further down the chart, Lionsgate made good work of targeting From Prada to Nada, which launched with just over $1 million in 256 theaters. Oscar-nominee Biutiful posted $460,916 in just 57 theaters for Roadside Attractions and has already earned over $600,000 if one includes its Puerto Rico run, and its Oscar-qualifying screenings Stateside.

Finally, Kaboom looks set to top the per theater chart with an estimated $14,440 for IFC Films in a single theater.

- Weekend Estimates
- Revised Friday Estimates
- Saturday Estimates
- Sunday Estimates

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, 127 Hours, From Prada to Nada, Biutiful, The Rite, The King’s Speech, The Mechanic, Kaboom