Weekend Box-Office: ‘Hunger Games’ On Fire with Third Best Opening Ever
By
Brad Brevet
Everyone knew The Hunger Games was going to be big, but how big seemed to be a mystery, but all those questions have been answered as the first film based on the Suzanne Collins trilogy of young adult novels now own the third best opening of all-time. Let’s take a closer look…
Laremy predicted the #1 movie correctly 4 Weeks In A Row
When I reportedThe Hunger Games had brought in $19.7 million from midnight openings alone and then said it should be looking at $150-160 million for the weekend, a lot of commenters didn’t agree. My theory was that it wouldn’t hit The Dark Knight status, but it would certainly top Twilight franchise status due to a larger demographic appeal. As it turns out that’s exactly what happened, and with high CinemaScore ratings it will be interesting to see how this one does next weekend. Anyone care to wager an early guess? The Dark Knight fell 52.5% in its second weekend if you’re interested in that comparison.
As for those record books, The Hunger Games is just behind The Dark Knight with the third best opening of all-time, the best opening of all-time for a non-sequel and it bests Alice in Wonderland for the best non-summer domestic opening.
Laremy did fall a bit short on his overall prediction, but to his credit he actually said he wouldn’t be shocked to see $155m for the film this weekend.
As for reader predictions, Sebastian did have the closest prediction, but he was a day late with his $155.8m post, so the official kudos for best prediction goes to On a Limb and his $157 million prediction. Nice work.
Weekend: $155 million RottenTomatoes Score:86% Laremy’s rank: Laremy picked it to finish #1 and his prediction of $132.4 million was $22.6m off for a percentage error of 14.58%.
A very small drop and now over $70 million for a film budgeted at $42 million. As of now only $7 million is reported for it internationally, I wonder what kind of appeal this kind of film would have overseas.
Weekend: $21.3 million (-41.3% drop) / Cume: $71 million / RottenTomatoes:85% Laremy’s rank: Laremy picked it to finish #2 with $23.6 million, which is $2.3m off for a 10.8% error.
Up to $177.3 million overall and you better believe more Seuss adaptations will be on the way. You heard they are redoing The Cat in the Hat in CG right? I guess if there is any saving grace this means we won’t get anymore live-action adaptations. Right?
Weekend: $13.1 million (-42.3% drop) / Cume: $177.3 million / RottenTomatoes:58% Laremy’s rank: Laremy picked it to finish #3 with $14.3 million, which is $1.2m off for a 9.16% error.
Ahhhh, poor John Carter. It seems each week something new comes out with someone new taking or given the blame.
Weekend: $5 million (-63% drop) / Cume: $62.3 million / RottenTomatoes:51% Laremy’s rank: Laremy picked it to finish #4 with $7.1 million, which is $2.1m off for a 42% error.
This little $12 million production is quite the juggernaut. Just watch, the Army, Air Force and Marines will soon have their own version and while I didn’t like this one I’m all for giving them a shot.
Weekend: $2 million (-45.9% drop) / Cume: $65.9 million / RottenTomatoes:26% Laremy’s rank: Laremy picked it to finish #6 with $1.8 million, which is $0.2m off for a 10% error.
There’s nothing more to say about this one than hasn’t already been said. Although the film’s lead, Thomas Mann, is set to star in King Dork for Casa de Mi Padre helmer Matt Piedmont. The film is a story set in 1987 about two best friends who share a love of classic rock ‘n’ roll. They also get caught up in a conspiracy involving dead bodies, the Crusades, and of course, hot girls.
Weekend: $1.95 million (-51.3% drop) / Cume: $51.7 million / RottenTomatoes:25% Laremy’s rank: Laremy picked it to finish #7 with $1.7 million, which is $0.25m off for a 12.82% error.
The only thing currently on Eddie Murphy’s upcoming slate is potential voice work in a Hong Kong Phooey adaptation. Any chance his career can be resuscitated or is this it?
Weekend: $1.92 million (-46.7% drop) / Cume: $14.9 million Laremy’s rank: Laremy picked it to finish #5 with $2.3 million, which is $0.38m off for a 19.79% error.
Up over $120 million you’re looking at one of the year’s biggest hits so far, but I wonder how many will even remember it come the end of the year.
Weekend: $1.39 million (-48.5% drop) / Cume: $122.6 million / RottenTomatoes:54% Laremy’s rank: Laremy picked it to finish #9 with $1.3 million, which is $0.09m off for a 6.47% error.
Which actor has two films in the top ten? Josh Hutcherson, that’s who. The kid is the next big thing… right? I mean, he’s 3’5″ so he’s got to be the next Tom Cruise.
Weekend: $1.37 million (-40.4% drop) / Cume: $97.1 million / RottenTomatoes:42% Laremy’s rank: Laremy picked it to finish #10 with $1.2 million, which is $0.17m off for a 12.41% error.
Elsewhere, The Raid: Redemption took in $221,000 from 14 theaters. Unfortunately I was out of town when they screened it in Seattle so I am going to have to try and make it to the theater myself to see it. And the other new opening this week was Terrence Davies’s The Deep Blue Sea, which took in $120,000 from 29 theaters.
Next weekend sees the release of Mirror Mirror and Wrath of the Titans, neither of which are getting any kind of significant advance buzz, which makes me wonder if The Hunger Games will easily top the box-office once again.
A 52% drop would mean The Hunger Games would hit over $74 million. I’m not saying it will hit that number, but for comparison’s sake the first Clash of the Titans made only $61.2 million. You tell me, what do you think will happen?
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