The box office results for the weekend of November 11th – 13th sees “Jack and Jill” and “J. Edgar” unable to match the mighty power of Immortals on their respective opening weekends. Meanwhile, “Puss in Boots” is still fighting to stay at the top. Here are the studio estimates:
1. Immortals ($32 million)
2. Jack and Jill ($26 million)
3. Puss in Boots ($25.5 million)
4. Tower Heist ($13.1 million)
5. J. Edgar ($11.4 million)
6. A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas ($5.9 million)
7. In Time ($4.1 million)
8. Paranormal Activity 3 ($3.6 million)
9. Footloose 2011 ($2.7 million)
10. Real Steel ($2 million)
Analysis
Let’s start with the cross-dressers:
“Jack and Jill“, a comedy featuring Adam Sandler dolled-up as his character’s twin sister, opened right around where the majority of his movies these last few years have landed (with the exception of Grown-Ups’ impressive $40 million). Like most of his Happy Madison Productions, the production budget is right under $80 million. Usually a Happy Madison product can find a way to double its production budget with its worldwide total, but this time could be a struggle; as this is the worst-reviewed movie this year. How much that slows down the Sandler loyal in venturing to the theaters remains to be seen.
The other new drag-queen on the cinematic block is “J. Edgar“. The $35 million product from Warner Bros. and directed by Clint Eastwood, was a probable award contender…until people saw it. While it will hang around the top ten in the weeks ahead and reach profitability status, the lack of glowing endorsements from the lovely critics and audiences will probably see this under-perform at the box office.
“Real Steel” currently has the longest streak in the top ten with 6 weeks. Its domestic total now sits at $81.6 million. Worldwide this Fall movie season surprise is up to $208 million.
“Immortals” got off to decent start and broke Relativity Media’s mini-slump with underwhelming duds at the box office the last few months. Although the budget was $80 million, this should be able to capitalize on the niche market that adores these sharp-looking action period-pieces, for there is no direct competition to challenge their drawing power. Then again, all movies will take a hit with what’s on tap this Friday (see below).
“Paranormal Activity 3” has crossed the $100 million plateau on the domestic front and has now overtaken PA 2 for the second highest grossing the franchise with a worldwide total of $179 million. It may not have the endurance to eclipse the first flick’s $193.4 worldwide mark.
The rest of the top ten is all teetering between being labeled a flop or sleeper at the moment. International totals have saved many this year and the DVD/On-Demand market will provide a healthy assist for films such as “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” and “Puss in Boots“. With that said, the staple Flop Alert and Sleeper Hit categories are on hold until next weekend.
And speaking of next weekend, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (Part One)” will no doubt crush it at the box office upon its opening. Plus, “Happy Feet Two”, will be the beneficiary of the smart, I mean, few people that want to avoid the Twilight madness at theaters (13 year-old and/or 45 year-old women camping out to see this multiple times). Also showing up in limited fashion is George Clooney in “The Descendants”, starting to unveil on Wednesday in select markets. Reviews will be right here my fellow Shockers.
Report by Joe Belcastro
