No One Tops Old Men on Per Theater Chart

November 13, 2007

No Country for Old Men was the latest Oscar hopeful to hit theaters, and while so many have failed to live up to expectations, this was not the case here. Despite opening in 28 theaters, it pulled in more than $1 million over the weekend and led the per theater chart with an average of $43,798. The only other film to come close was Holly with an opening of $32,406 in one theater. Finally, Om Shanti Om was the second limited release to crack $1 million over the weekend, earning an average of $15,475 in its 114 theaters.

The second Bollywood film, Saawariya, was the best of the rest, earning an average of $6,379 in nearly 100 theaters. Normally this would be an impressive opening, but Om Shanti Om stole its thunder. Two documentaries, Steal a Pencil for Me and War Dance, were neck and neck with averages of $5,590 and $5,157 respectively. Mr. Blue Sky opened with $3,714 in one theater while Life of Reilly earned $2,798, also in one theater. Bringing up the rear was Choking Man, which pulled in just $4,189 in 2 theaters for an average of $2,095.

This past week also saw milestones reached for a couple of Per Theater Chart alumni:

  • No Country for Old Men opened with more than $1 million over the weekend and therefore hit its first milestone. This will not be its last milestone. In fact, the film has a high chance of expanding wide enough to graduate from this list.
  • Om Shanti Om also opened with more than $1 million, but it is a niche market film and therefore is less likely to expand.
  • Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is still expanding and this helped it reach $1 million over the weekend. Given its per theater average, it should be able to expand its theater count more, but I don't know if it has peaked at the box office. Regardless, it will reach more milestones.
  • Lars and the Real Girl topped $3 million over the weekend and should do the same with $4 million by this time next week.
  • Bella's running tally was pushed to $3 million over the weekend and will reach $4 million by the weekend.

-

Filed under: No Country for Old Men, Bella, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Lars and the Real Girl, Om Shanti Om, Saawariya, Holly, War Dance, The Life of Reilly, Steal a Pencil for Me, Mr. Blue Sky, Choking Man