The box office results for the weekend of June 22nd – 24th has the 3D animated realm overpowering all other genres. Newcomer Brave, and holdover Madagascar 3 were able to withstand a vampire killing President and a quiet Steve Carell comedy. Here are the studio estimates:
1. Brave ($66.7 million)
2. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted ($20.2 million)
3. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter ($16.5 million)
4. Prometheus ($10 million)
5. Snow White and the Huntsman ($8.1 million)
6. Rock of Ages ($8 million)
7. That’s My Boy ($7.9 million)
8. Marvel’s The Avengers ($7 million)
9. Men in Black 3 ($5.6 million)
10. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World ($3.8 million)
Analysis
Let’s get this out of the way…
The Avengers currently holds the longest streak in the top ten with 8 weeks. Domestically, the superhero dream team has soared up to $598.6 million. As of this past Friday, Disney has slowly started pulling the record-breaking juggernaut out of theaters. So those expecting it to chase down Titanic for #2 all-time, can simmer down now.
The latest from Disney/Pixar, Brave, easily triumphed over all the new guys and holdovers. Coming in with a production budget of $185 million, this is going to have to show some legs at the theater (most Pixar properties do), and bank on an assist from the international markets, too. The lovely critics are behind this, and if audiences give this a decent nod, and then factoring in the DVD/On-Demand run post-theatrical, the studio should be able to dip the fountain pen in the black ink.
Ironically seeing the red (ink), will be Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Despite having a “modest” production budget for a summer release ($70 million), this did not get off to a good start for Twentieth Century Fox. Based off the novel, which wasn’t all that popular to begin with, the R-rated action/horror product featuring our 16th President as a vamp slayer, doesn’t seem to have the draw, or the concept, to entice moviegoers to spend their loot on an over-priced 3D ticket.
While Steve Carell’s latest endeavor, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World may appear to be a flopper, the production budget is right at $10 million. Now even though the gross total may not even reach that number while in theaters, there’s a slim shot that this dark comedy – well, this writer would argue that in order to be a dark comedy, there has to be comedy – will be able to possibly break even somewhere down the road.
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted dipped just 41% in week #3. And by doing so, it’s domestic total is up to $157.5 and worldwide is just over $314 million. Money has been made off this $145 million product.
This Friday, a variety of films try to earn whatever they can before July ushers in two more mega-bombs (Spidey & Batman). Tyler Perry brings in Madea’s latest and it will do battle with another comedy in Ted. Meanwhile, Magic Mike will secure a good portion of female moviegoers and People Like Us looks to provide audiences with a bit of everything (comedy & drama). Reviews will be right here my fellow Shockers!
