The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend. Be sure to check back on Monday for final figures based on actual box office.
20th Century Fox’s The Simpsons Movie exceeded expectations, earning an estimated $71.85 million from 3,922 theaters domestically to dominate the weekend box office. The animated-comedy, which cost about $75 million to make, marks the big screen debut of the characters from the long running series. The series’ 19th season will premiere in the fall. The studio had expected the movie to open in the $40 million range. Internationally, The Simpsons Movie earned $96 million from 71 markets.
Last weekend’s champ, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, dipped 44% with $19.1 million. The Universal comedy, starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James and Jessica Biel, has collected $71.6 million and was produced for $85 million.
Close in third was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which added $17.1 million in its third weekend for a domestic total of $241.8 million. The franchise has become the second-highest ever worldwide, trailing only the 22 James Bond films. Warner Bros.’ five “Harry Potter” movies have combined taken in an estimated $4.24 billion in worldwide ticket sales.
New Line’s Hairspray dropped a spot to fourth with $15.6 million, bringing the musical’s total to $59.3 million in two weeks.
Newcomer No Reservations, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart and Abigail Breslin, rounded out the top five with $11.8 million from 2,425 theaters.
Transformers continued to do well in sixth with $11.5 million for a total of $284.6 million after four weeks. Likewise, Ratatouille added $47.2 million for a sum of $179.7 million after five weeks. Live Free or Die Hard earned $5.4 million in its fifth week, bringing its total to $125.1 million.
Lindsay Lohan’s new thriller, I Know Who Killed Me, bombed with just $3.4 million from 1,320 theaters in ninth place, as did Who’s Your Caddy?, which managed to bring in only $2.9 million from 1,019 locations.
