April 8th, 2009
Another weird week for new releases as the top two DVDs on the sales chart are both new releases and holdovers. Twilight had its first full week of sales adding 2.46 million units to its running tally of 6.03 million, which is the best for 2009 so far. It also become the film DVD to cross the century mark with $108.32 million in sales so far.
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March 22nd, 2009
Confessions Of A Shopaholic nearly doubled its weekend haul as it pulled in $6.78 million on 2023 screens in 26 markets for a total of $31.91 million after a month of release. The film opened in first place in Australia, no surprise there, as that's the home of Isla Fisher, with $1.89 million on 309 screens. It earned a nearly identical result of $1.84 million on 426 screens in Germany, but that was only enough for third place in that market. Next up for the film is South Korea and Spain at the end of this month, while it doesn't end its run till the end of May when it opens in Japan and France.
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March 17th, 2009
There were half-a-dozen new releases to reach the top 30 on the sales chart this week, including a new number one movie, Beverly Hills Chihuahua. That film sold 1.61 million unites generating $28.40 million in sales, which was enough to put it in sixth place on the 2009 sales chart after just a week of release.
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March 11th, 2009
A combination of terrible new releases and two massive store sales (including the Circuit City Going out of Business sale) meant this week's sales chart was dominated by some of the biggest hits from last year. However, the number one DVD remained High School Musical 3 - Senior Year, which sold an additional 543,000 units for the week to give it a total of 2.05 million units sold and $36.14 million in consumer retail spending.
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March 3rd, 2009
Six new releases reached the top 30 on this week's sales chart, and four of those six reached the top five. This includes High School Musical 3 - Senior Year, which sold 1.50 million units while generating $26.55 million in consumer spending for the second fastest start of the year.
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February 24th, 2009
There were four or five new releases to reach the top 30 on this week's sales chart depending on how you count Madagascar 2 - Escape to Africa. During its first full week of release it sold 1.83 million units, giving it totals of 3.51 million units and $56.55 million, which is easily the best sales figures for any DVD this year.
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February 24th, 2009
Nights in Rodanthe led a troop of five new releases to take first place on the rental charts, pulling in 16% more rental revenue than second place Madagascar 2 - Escape to Africa during its first full week on the chart.
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February 23rd, 2009
There were a huge number of new releases this week, and they occupied the top four spots on this week's sales chart. The new number one was Madagascar 2 - Escape to Africa, which was released later in the week than the rest of the releases. Over the weekend it sold 1.68 million units and $27.10 million, plus an additional 89,000 units and $2.76 million from the two-pack.
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February 23rd, 2009
Lakeview Terrace repeated on top of the rental chart this week, despite there being four new releases trying to cram into the top five. This week it was a close race as it earned just over 10% more than the second place Madagascar 2 - Escape to Africa.
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February 17th, 2009
This felt like a slow week to me, but looking at the list there were 15 spotlight reviews, which is a huge amount for one week. There are a large number of DVDs worth checking out, but looking at the top of the list, I think Christopher Titus - Love is Evol is the best DVD coming out this week, and the winner of the DVD Pick of the Week. As has happened pretty much every week this year, there are so many DVDs on this week's list that is had to be split into two. The second part can be found here.
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February 15th, 2009
Bride Wars continues its bridesmaid run just missing the top five this week after just missing the top ten last week. It did ad $5.88 million on 2485 screens in 30 markets for a total of $32.11 million after a month of release. Openings this week include Germany, where the film placed second with $1.62 million on 455 screens, which is a mixed debut.
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February 10th, 2009
One of the busier weeks in the past several weeks, but there's little in the way of top-notch releases. The biggest box office hit was Nights in Rodanthe, which struggled to become a mid-level hit. The best release in my opinion is My Name is Bruce on Blu-ray, but only if you are a Bruce Campbell Fanboy. I am, and I'm awarding it the DVD Pick of the Week. While there were not as many top-notch releases, there were still more than enough bulk to force this column to be split into two. The second part can be found here.
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February 8th, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire slipped to sixth place with $7.67 million on 1275 screens in 12 markets for a total of $42.46 million. The film had no major openings this past weekend, but it added $3.02 million on 416 screens during its fourth weekend on top of the charts in the U.K. for a total of $18.21 million in that one market.
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February 3rd, 2009
Wow. That was... Due to technical difficulties, late deliveries, and some misfiled DVDs, this week's list is a little later than normal (but it's still Tuesday, so it's not technically late). It is also a lot larger than normal with a record number of Spotlight reviews (23 in all, or 30 if you count individual movies). There are also some very high quality releases including Zack and Miri Make a Porno on either DVD or Blu-ray. However, given the subject matter of that film, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. The best release of the week is, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist on DVD or Blu-ray, but especially on Blu-ray, which is worth the upgrade. That film is the DVD Pick of the Week. With a record number of spotlight reviews, it goes without saying that the list had to be split up this week, with the first part found here, while the third part can be found here. (First time I had to separate the list into three parts.)
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February 3rd, 2009
Wow. That was... Due to technical difficulties, late deliveries, and some misfiled DVDs, this week's list is a little later than normal (but it's still Tuesday, so it's not technically late). It is also a lot larger than normal with a record number of Spotlight reviews (23 in all, or 30 if you count individual movies). There are also some very high quality releases including Zack and Miri Make a Porno on either DVD or Blu-ray. However, given the subject matter of that film, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. The best release of the week is, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist on DVD or Blu-ray, but especially the Blu-ray, which is worth the upgrade. That film is the DVD Pick of the Week. With a record number of spotlight reviews, it goes without saying that the list had to be split up this week, with the second part found here, while the third part can be found here. (First time I had to separate the list into three parts.)
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February 2nd, 2009
The Very Best Film 2, the sequel to The Very Best Film opened in Russia and a handful of other markets this past weekend. It scored first place in its native land with $8.38 million on 948 screens, while it earned sixth place in total with $9.29 million on 1072 screens in 4 markets. This is a serious decline from its predecessor's opening weekend, but still a strong start otherwise.
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January 25th, 2009
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa fell from second to sixth with $9.07 million on 5601 screens in 48 markets for a total of $380.42 million. No openings hurt the film this past weekend, and its only $1 million markets this past weekend were South Korea at $1.20 million on 432 screens and Poland at $1.09 million on 130. The film has made $3.76 million after two weeks in the former and $7.72 million after three weeks in the latter.
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January 14th, 2009
Red Cliff 2, the sequel to the record breaking Red Cliff, opened in its native China with a stunning $14.85 million on 1398 screens. It also earned first place in Singapore with $873,000 on 47 screens, and combined it took first place on the international chart while playing in just those two markets.
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January 7th, 2009
Not only did Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa remained in first place for the third weekend in a row, and four in total, the film also managed to surpass the international total of its predecessor. It was aided by a record-breaking first place opening in Poland where the film opened with $3.22 million on 130 screens over the weekend for a total of $4.02 million. Granted, films like this tend to do very well in this market, but this is still a pleasant surprise. It was not as impressive in China with $2.43 million on 600 screens earning third place there. Holdovers were led by France, where the film added $4.50 million on 820 screens over the weekend and $38.75 million in total. Meanwhile in Italy, the film earned $3.86 million on 571 screens for a total of $29.38 million. Overall it made $31.96 million over the weekend on 6290 screens in 43 market and it now has $339.88 million internationally and $516.90 million Worldwide.
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December 31st, 2008
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa remained in first place over the weekend with $37.54 million on 6211 screens in 49 markets for a total of $285.35 million after two months of release. This includes no major openings over the weekend, but the holiday did boost the box office in a number of markets, including Italy where it was up 56% to $9.76 million on 583 screens over the weekend for a total of $21.18 million after two. Meanwhile in France the film was down just 6% to $5.11 million on 834 screens over the weekend for a total of $31.25 million after four. With openings in China, Poland, South Korea, and Japan ahead of the film, $400 million internationally and $600 million worldwide is within reach.
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December 24th, 2008
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa returned to the number one spot on the international chart with $38.79 million on 5959 screens in 56 markets for a total of $224.34 million. The film opened in first place in Italy with $6.29 million on 565 screens, while it also topped the charts in Australia with $2.44 million on 368 screens over the weekend and $4.84 million including previews. Holdovers include France, where the film was down a mere 15% to $5.42 million on 829 screens over the weekend for a total of $23.07 million after three. It was nearly as strong in Germany with $4.99 million on 839 screens over the weekend for a total of $26.48 million. Meanwhile in the U.K. it added $2.75 million on 551 screens over the weekend for a total of $19.05 million.
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December 17th, 2008
The Day the Earth Stood Still opened globally over the weekend and took top spot on the international chart with $39.22 million on 7,715 screens in 90 markets. This is a good start, but not a great start and it appears to be heading for $150 million internationally and $250 million worldwide. Individual markets were led by Russia where the film made $5.89 million on 725 screens, but it was also a big hit in the U.K. ($4.21 million on 465 screens including previews); Spain ($3.21 million on 464 screens); and Italy ($2.35 million on 448). On the other hand, it had to settle for second place in France ($3.40 million on 606 screens); Germany ($2.95 million on 804 screens); and Mexico ($2.87 million on 804). The film has yet to open in a few major markets like Japan, South Korea, and Australia, and it opens in all three markets over the next few weeks.
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December 10th, 2008
As expected, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa earned first place on the international chart.
However, its weekend haul of $50.99 million on 5,009 screens in 33 markets was better than expected, while its total of $126.43 million internationally is close to 40% of the original's final.
Its best market of the week was Germany where it pulled in $11.43 million on 841 screens, while it also performed amazingly in France ($9.54 million on 788 screens) and in the U.K. ($9.48 million on 520). Other first place debuts included Mexico ($4.53 million on 438 screens); Switzerland ($2.51 million on 152); Belgium ($1.69 million on 115); and Austria ($1.57 million on 101).
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December 3rd, 2008
Quantum of Solace saw its box office sliced nearly in half down to $20.60 million on 8530 screens in 63 markets, however, its running tally grew to $340.61 million after a month of release. It is now the second highest grossing Bond film and the 70th highest grossing film worldwide. The film's best market of the weekend was Germany where it remained in first place with $2.31 million on 801 screens for a total of $35.29 million. Meanwhile in the U.K. it slipped to second place with a still impressive $2.20 million on 500 screens for a total of $72.27 million after a month of release.
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November 30th, 2008
Body Of Lies opened in a quartet of major markets, the U.K., Germany, Italy, and Russia, and that helped it climb into second place with $10.17 million on 2837 screens in 32 markets for a total of $33.62 million. It earned second place in both the U.K. with $1.48 million on 393 screens and in Germany where it scored $1.43 million on 427 screens. On the other hand, it earned more in Italy with $1.64 million on 357 screens, but had to settle for third place. Meanwhile in Russia it struggled landing in eighth place with $500,000 on 142 screens.
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November 30th, 2008
Thanksgiving weekend produced three big winners, according to studio estimates released on Sunday.
At the top, Four Christmases scored an excellent $31.7 million Friday-Sunday and $46.7 million over the five-day weekend, and is the third best Thanksgiving opening ever, just behind Enchanted's opening last year.
Second place, Friday-Sunday, was taken by Bolt, which scored $26.6 million, and, very unusually these days, earned more in its second weekend than it did in its first.
In sixth place, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa also benefited from the holiday, dropping just 7% from last weekend to earn another $14.5 million.
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November 25th, 2008
Wow. The winning streak at the box office continues as Twilight had the fifth best November weekend and the 32nd best opening weekend of all time. Overall, the box office pulled in $165 million, which is 10% more than last weekend and 2% more than the same weekend last year. It is important to note that there was growth year-to-year despite this weekend last year being the Thanksgiving long weekend. Year-to-date, 2008 remains ahead of 2007, but by a barely perceptible margin of $8.34 billion to $8.32 billion.
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November 23rd, 2008
High School Musical 3: Senior Year fell below $10 million this past weekend, but we still able to remain in second place internationally earning $8.65 million on 4642 screens in 34 markets for a total of $123.01 million internationally and $207.178 million worldwide. The only opening of note this weekend came in Russia, however, the film struggled there placing sixth with $353,000 on 128 screens. Its best market was the U.K. where it added $1.46 million on 483 screens over the weekend for a total of $31.76 million.
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November 23rd, 2008
Summit Entertainment have their first blockbuster.
Vampire romance Twilight opened with an amazing $70.553 million over the weekend, according to Summit's estimate.
That's the fourth best opening of 2008, and might also prove to be the fourth best opening in November, although The Incredibles will run it close. (The top three November openers are all from the Harry Potter franchise, incidentally).
Perhaps the best measure of Twilight's performance, however, is that it beat last week's debut for James Bond by $3 million, and topped Madagascar's opening two weeks ago by $7 million.
That's pretty remarkable.
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November 20th, 2008
So far November has been an amazing month, and it looks like it is about to get even better. With two films showing strength at the box office, there should be no problem for the overall box office to top the same weekend last year, and there's even a chance that this week's number one film will top Quantum of Solace's opening from last week.
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November 18th, 2008
As expected, Quantum of Solace became the biggest opener in the history of the James Bond franchise over the weekend by a huge margin.
In fact, the $67.53 million it earned over the past three days was $20 million more than the previous record holder, Die Another Day, and 65% more than Casino Royale opened with in 2006.
Even if it has a multiplier of just 2.48 it will become the biggest domestic hit in the franchise, and it has already made more worldwide than all of the pre-Pierce Brosnan Bond films.
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November 17th, 2008
High School Musical 3: Senior Year remained in second place with $14.63 million on 4413 screens in 30 markets for a total of $110.38 million internationally. This is more than it will make domestically by the end of its run, and at this pace hitting $200 million worldwide will not be an issue, as it has openings in Russia, Australia, and Japan still to go. Its biggest market of the weekend was Italy where it made $2.60 million on 487 screens over the weekend for a total of $9.02 million. Meanwhile, its biggest market overall was the U.K. with $31.44 million, including $2.39 million on 470 screens over the past weekend.
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November 16th, 2008
Movie audiences embraced a gritty, edgier Bond over the weekend, buying $70.4 million-worth of tickets, according to Sony's Sunday estimate.
That will put it among the top 50 weekends of all time and top 30 opening weekends when final numbers are released on Monday.
It also blows away the record opening for the franchise, previously held by Die Another Day with $47 million back in 2002.
By every measure, this was an impressive start, which confirms that the Bond franchise is as powerful as ever.
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November 13th, 2008
We only have one new release this week, which should help it maximize its box office potential. It also helps that the one new release, Quantum of Solace, is the latest film is arguably the most successful movie franchise of all time. (It wins with total number of movies released in the US* and worldwide gross, but not on a per movie box office.) Quantum of Solace should win the weekend with ease and will make more than the number one movie from this weekend last year. In fact, it could make more than the top four films from this weekend last year combined.
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November 12th, 2008
The winners of our No Escape contest was determined and they are...
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November 12th, 2008
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa opened in more than 4,000 theaters in total, and that included 129 IMAX screens, where it earned $3.63 million over the weekend.
That gave it a per theater average of just over $28,000 on the really big screen, which was close to double its regular per theater average.
It is also more than twice the $1.6 million Eagle Eye opened with in 84 theaters in September.
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November 11th, 2008
This week the leader on the per theater chart was also the leader of the overall box office chart as Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa opened with a very impressive average of $15,559 in more than 4,000 theaters. Second place went to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which opened with $250,000 in 17 theaters for an average of $14,887, suggesting at least some potential to expand. The Alphabet Killer was a surprise entry in the $10,000 club, as it earned $11,000 in its lone theater in Rochester, New York. Likewise, JCVD made an impressive debut with just over $20,000 in 2 theaters for an average of $10,060.
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November 11th, 2008
After Halloween basically cut last weekend by a third, this weekend bounced back, and did it with a vengeance. Not only did the number one film beat expectations, the overall box office did as well. Total tickets sales were $142 million, a stunning 62% more than last weekend, which is impressive, even after taking into account Halloween falling on a Friday last weekend and the beginning of November this weekend. Even more importantly, this weekend was 26% higher than the same weekend last year. Year-to-date, 2008 has earned $7.96 billion, which is higher than 2007's pace, but by less than 1% as last year at this time the running tally was $7.94 billion.
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November 9th, 2008
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa lit up the box office over the weekend, earning $63.5 million according to Paramount's Sunday estimate.
That's the fifth best weekend in November (see complete list), and the second-best outside the Harry Potter franchise, behind only The Incredibles.
Madgascar's earnings helped propel the weekend as a whole to a 32% increase from last year, which leaves 2008 leading 2007 by a fraction, year to date.
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November 9th, 2008
It was a big weekend for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Not only is it going to win the box office race, but its Official Site won the Weekly Website Award.
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November 6th, 2008
The winter holiday season used to start on Thanksgiving long weekend, but now it starts the first weekend of November. And this year it starts with a sequel that has great expectations associated with it. Some good news, this weekend last year was weaker than expected and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa should have no trouble earning more than all three wide releases from last year combined. In fact, it should earn more than the two top films from last year did.
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November 5th, 2008
Two of the top five films on this week's international chart opened in advance of their domestic debuts, including the new number one film, Quantum of Solace. The film broke records during its opening in Britain with a phenomenal $25.01 million on 540 screens, which was more than two thirds of the entire box office. It also opened in first place in France with $12.65 million on 807 screens an in Sweden with $2.38 million on 149 screens over the weekend for an opening total of $2.70 million. Overall it made $40.04 million on 2,114 screens over the weekend and $40.36 million in total. The film has started faster than Casino Royale, the only question is whether it can hang on as strongly as that film did.
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November 1st, 2008
October was weaker than expected with only a few films living up to expectations, and none earning $100 million at the box office. (And only one even came relatively close.) This month, there are three films that should hit $100 million for sure this month, and all three have at least a shot at $200 million. That's good news because 2008 will to close strong to keep its lead over 2007. Top of the list for anticipated films is Quantum of Solace, but there are two kids movies, Bolt and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, that are also worth paying attention to. Additionally, Awards season is starting to heat up, so look for limited releases that could earn Oscar Buzz and become breakout hits.
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October 30th, 2008
The holiday season (un)official starts next weekend with the release of Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa. It will be the biggest hit of the week, potentially the biggest hit of the month, and possibly even the biggest hit of the rest of the year. It is also the target film this week. In order to win, one must simply predict the opening weekend box office of Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa.
Whoever comes the closest to predicting the film's opening 3-day weekend box office (Friday to Sunday), without going over, will win Hell Ride on DVD, The Flight Before Christmas on DVD, as well as South of Pico on DVD.
Meanwhile, whoever comes the closest to predicting the film's opening 3-day weekend box office (Friday to Sunday), without going under, will also win South of Pico on DVD, as well as Click & Clack's As the Wrench Turns on DVD.
Entries must be received by 10 a.m., Pacific Time on Friday to be eligible, so don't delay!
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June 19th, 2008
This week's round of new casting information contains updates for 2012, Public Enemies, Transformers 2, and more!
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March 20th, 2008
This week's round of new casting information contains updates for The Grand, The Proposal, The Legend of Secret Pass, and more!
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December 20th, 2007
This week's round of new casting information contains updates for Four Christmases, My Sister's Keeper, Quarantined, and more!
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August 6th, 2006
This week's round of new movie release information contains release dates for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, a sequel to Madagascar and more.
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