2005 Should End on a High Note
December 30, 2005
The final weekend of 2005 starts tonight and every film in the top five should see significant growth from last weekend, a couple of them could see triple-digit growth. That will help the movie industry end on a positive note, but the yearly figures will still lag well behind 2004.
Narnia may have just missed first place last weekend, but it should retake the box office crown this weekend as its midweek numbers have been significantly better than those of its rival. This weekend the film should add about $36 million to its box office total, a total that will reach $225 million by the end of the weekend.
Midweek numbers have seen King Kong falling behind Narnia, and it won't turn things around over the weekend. Even so, earning $34 million over the weekend for a $177 million running total isn't a bad result, it's just not up to expectations or its massive production budget.
Cheaper by the Dozen 2, which has the worst reviews out of all the new releases last week, is paradoxically having the best midweek growth. That should help it climb into third place this weekend with just over $20 million.
On the other hand, Fun With Dick and Jane has struggled over the week and has fallen to fourth place. That trend should continue over the weekend leaving the film with just under $20 million. This is another film that's box office result is disappointing, especially compared with its production budget. Speaking of which, it has been reported that last minute reshoots caused the production budget to climb from its original $70 million to $85 million, or more.
Comparing Rumor Has It's midweek numbers to other films in the top ten is difficult since it made its debut on Sunday. That day's box office is obviously going to be inflated compared to other films that opened earlier. That will make its midweek numbers seem worse than they actually are. Even so, the numbers haven't been great and the film won't get the bounce it would have if the word-of-mouth had been better. Look for $12 million over the weekend, $50 million overall.
Filed under: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, King Kong, Fun with Dick & Jane, Cheaper by the Dozen 2, Rumor Has It