The penultimate installment of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn-Part 1 topped the box office over the weekend grossing a massive $139 million. This fourth big screen adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s novel series banked $72 million on Friday – the third highest opening day ever behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2’s $91 million and The Twilight Saga: New Moon’s $72.7 million.
Longevity is the key here, and Breaking Dawn (read our review) will undoubtedly be front-loaded, taking a massive hit next weekend. Although, having said that – the vampire romance has already covered its $110 million production budget, but it’ll be interesting to see if it beats the franchise high of Eclipse’s $300 million domestic gross.
Director George Miller hasn’t been having a good time recently – professionally speaking. First the plug was pulled on his Justice League film, Mad Max is caught up in all sorts of delays, and now Happy Feet 2 has failed to meet expectations at the box office. The penguin themed ‘toon scored just $22 million over the weekend – about 50% of the first film’s launch back in 2006. These numbers are even more worrying when you factor in the added ticket price of 3D. It’s not the first time that Miller has fumbled a sequel to a hit family film. In 1998 he helmed the $90 million Babe: Pig in the City, the sequel to the 1995 hit which grossed $63 million (over $254 million worldwide). That porky sequel grossed $18 million at the US box office and just $69 million around the globe.
Immortals dipped 62% from last week’s launch, banking $12.2 million for a $52.9 million total. It’s not great, but the film has now covered its $75 million production budget with the help of its international run.
Adam Sandler’s Jack & Jill took quite a hit. Dipping 50% from last weekend for a $12 million take. That gives the comedy over $41 million – not a good number when it was produced on a budget of almost $80 million.
Puss In Boots continues to impress, after a relatively disappointing debut. The Shrek spin-off scored a smidgen under $10.7 million for a $122 million total.
Tower Heist stole another $7 million from audiences. That weekend gross gives the Brett Ratner comedy a $53.7 million total, with international numbers helping it to cover its $75 million cost.
Clint Eastwood’s J.Edgar failed to find audience love. The Leonardo DiCaprio starrer brought in $5.9 million, giving it a $20 million cumulative gross. Eastwood is an efficient filmmaker, and Edgar cost just $35 million to produce, but the film will be a tough sell on the international scene – even with DiCaprio’s star-power.
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas laughed up an additional $2.9 million for a $28 million total, while In Time scored another $2 million for a $33 million gross.
George Clooney’s latest awards contender The Descendants cracked the top ten on limited release. The dramedy should play well during the awards season and it should go on to be profitable, having a production cost of just $20 million.
That’s it for now. See you at the movies.
