Not to be a snake in everyone's boot, but the all-time opening weekend record is not in the bag for The Dark Knight just yet. The $155.3 million weekend estimate is just that -- a studio estimate -- and when the final numbers come out later this afternoon, Spider-Man 3's $151.1 million may still be on top of the heap. So everyone should chill for a few more hours. Still -- $150 million! In one weekend! For a movie that's dark and scary and complicated and dead serious! That's pretty amazing, though my hopes for this wonderful film's box office staying power were dampened somewhat when I saw it a second time yesterday and heard the banter of the couple next to me, which consisted of statements like "Do you know what's going on? I don't know what's going on," and "I don't even understand who the bad guy is." (?!??) I guess you can't please everyone.
Anyway. $150 million +. First person to call it a disappointment because it's not the world's first $200 million opening weekend gets a kick in the crotch.
The weekend's counterprogramming saw mixed results. Mamma Mia!'s $27.6 million is an undeniable victory, though I think the market was begging for something not action- or family-oriented. I'm not sure what to say about Space Chimps' $7.4 million, seventh-place bow. I don't think anyone could have expected much more from a movie called Space Chimps.
The Dark Knight did a number on the superhero-themed holdovers, kicking Hellboy II down to the tune of 71%, and Hancock a somewhat gentler 57%. Hancock should see $200 million by the end of the week; Hellboy II probably won't get to $70 million domestic, though it should beat its predecessor's $60 million take.
The full top 10 estimates after the jump.
1 - The Dark Knight (Warner Bros.) - $155.34 ($35,579) - $155.34
2 - Mamma Mia! (Universal) - $27.61 ($9,275) - $27.61
3 - Hancock (Columbia) - $14.00 ($3,707) - $191.50
4 - Journey to the Center of the Earth (New Line) - $11.91 ($4,208) - $43.07
5 - Hellboy II: The Golden Army (Universal) - $10.04 ($3,125) - $56.45
6 - Wall-E (Disney) - $9.81 ($2,964) - $182.48
7 - Space Chimps (Fox) - $7.35 ($2,927) - $7.35
8 - Wanted (Universal) - $5.10 ($2,094) - $123.35
9 - Get Smart (Warner Bros.) - $4.09 ($1,913) - $119.57
10 - Kung Fu Panda (Dreamworks Animation) - $1.75 ($1,162) - $206.51
Nice work, Box Office Mojo!
Next week's the one I've been holding my breath for: The X-Files: I Want to Believe. This old-time X-Files fan has his fingers crossed. It's up against Step Brothers, another Will-Ferrell-acts-like-an-infant monstrosity.









1. This just goes to show that when you know you have an awesome movie in your hands, it's alright to get the hype machine roaring on all cylinders.
Posted at 8:17AM on Jul 21st 2008 by filmsuki