MegaMind was the Truly Unstoppable Film
November 16, 2010
Only one film in the top five topped expectations over the weekend, while another film came within a rounding error of doing so. This left the overall box office down nearly 20% from last weekend, which combined with last year's monster opening for 2012 means 2010 is off last year's pace by 13%. Year-to-date, 2010 still has a more than $300 million lead at $9.14 billion to $8.84 billion, so a one-week stumble like this is hardly reason to panic.
MegaMind was the only film in the top five to top expectations, slipping just 37% to $29.12 million over the weekend and $88.82 million after two. By this time next week it will have more than $100 million, while $150 million is likely a sure thing at this point. It does have some very strong competition opening the next couple of weeks, but the holidays should help, while its reviews won't hurt. In fact, it might even get to $175 million, maybe more.
Unstoppable might have earned some of the best reviews Denzel Washington or Tony Scott have earned in their careers; however, it only managed second place with $22.69 million over the weekend. Granted, this is on par with most of Tony Scott's openings from the past decade or so, but it is lower than their previous collaboration, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. At this point, the film could earn between $60 and $70 million, which is substantially less than it cost to make. Unless it is a much bigger hit internationally, as well as on the home market, it won't show a profit any time soon.
Due Date fell more than 50% to $15.42 million over the weekend giving it a total of $58.90 million after two. With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, it might last long enough to get to $100 million, but that's a long shot now.
The biggest disappointment of the weekend was Skyline with just $11.69 million over the weekend, which was half of what some were expecting. The reviews started out promising, but fell to barely above abysmal. This combined with the lack of starpower couldn't have helped it at the box office. By the time December gets here, it will likely see a large drop in its theater count. By the time Christmas gets here, it could be all but a memory.
Morning Glory rounding out the top five with $9.20 million over the weekend and $11.81 million since Wednesday. Its reviews were better than expected, while its Wednesday opening should mean it won't collapse next weekend compared to this one, but even so, it won't last in theaters long. Hopefully it was only a moderately priced movie, which would mean it might reach profitability sometime during its home market run.
Finally we get to the sophomore class, which this week consisted of For Colored Girls. The film was down 66% from its opening adding $6.52 million over the weekend for a total of $30.69 million after two weeks of release. This is a steeper drop-of than Tyler Perry's career average, but not by so much that it raises alarm bells.
Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Due Date, Morning Glory, Unstoppable, For Colored Girls, Skyline, Megamind