4th of July Weekend Box Office: 'Twilight' Eclipses 'The Last Airbender'

[The Clown Prince]

With 7 months between films, the latest film in the 'Twilight' franchise opened this weekend. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse opened to $69 million this weekend and a $161 million total since opening on Wednesday in 4,468 theaters, a new wide release record. Additionally, it made another $100.2 million at the foreign box office.

For comparison sake, The Twilight Saga: New Moon opened on Friday November 20 in 4,024 theaters and took in a 3-day haul of $142.8 million. Again, with only 7 months between the releases of New Moon and Eclipse, Breaking Dawn Part 1 however won't be released until November 18, 2011. So there will be plenty of time there for that anticipated hype to build up.

Opening in second place was The Last Airbender with $40.6 million and a $57 million total since opening on Thursday. It's production budget is a reported $150 million not counting marketing and advertising. A lot has been said about The Last Airbender and the critics this summer seem to be on a tear with some movies, but The Last Airbender it seems has acquired probably the worst reviews this year for a film. Currently it sits at 8% at RottenTomatoes. 9 Fresh, 105 Rotten (http://beta.rottentomatoes.com/m/last_airbender/). Some movies are critic proof, but after this weekend, it will be the oh so important word of mouth that will help or hurt this movie.

After two weeks at number one, Toy Story 3 fell 49% to third place with $30.1 million and a $289 million total.

In fourth was Grown Ups who drops 54% and $18.5 million and a $77 million total.

And rounding out the top 5 is Knight and Day with $10.2 million, a 49% drop, and a $45.5 million total.

Out of the top 12 this weekend is Iron Man 2 (13th) whose total is up to $308.2 million and another $303 million from foreign box office. Also gone is Killers (14th).

Opening next weekend are two new movies. First up is the reboot/reimagining/ as Robert Rodriguez puts it of the 'Predator' franchise with Predators (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=54800) (rated R). It stars Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Danny Trejo, Oleg Taktarov, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, and Louiz Ozawa.

The other new movie is the animated film Despicable Me (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=51266) (rated PG) starring the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Danny McBride, Miranda Cosgrove, Jack McBrayer, Mindy Kaling, Jemaine Clement, and Julie Andrews.

Here are your numbers...


1) The Twilight Saga: Eclipse- $69,000,000 ($161,000,000) NEW!
2) The Last Airbender- $40,650,000 ($57,000,000) NEW!
3) Toy Story 3- $30,174,000 ($289,000,000)
4) Grown Ups- $18,500,000 ($77,082,000)
5) Knight and Day- $10,200,000 ($45,508,000)
6) The Karate Kid- $8,000,000 ($151,523,000)
7) The A-Team- $3,025,000 ($69,116,000)
8) Get Him to the Greek- $1,185,000 ($57,427,000)
9) Shrek Forever After- $799,000 ($232,182,000)
10) Cyrus- $770,000 ($1,488,000)
11) Letters to Juliet- $693,000 ($50,815,000)
12) Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time- $670,000 ($88,124,000)

[Pyrax]

Toy Story 3 deserves better..:mad:

[Beat]

Things I never thought I'd see Part XXXVI-

A Twilight movie not being the worst critically reviewed movie of the weekend.

Not sure about the dropoff for next week now though. I expect a huge dropoff for Airbender, Eclipse, I'm not so sure about, although I feel like this is one of those films where most of the fans see it the 1st week but it lacks that really positive word of mouth (my buddy was dragged to see it by a girlfriend, and while he didn't find it terrible, it's not the sort of film he would actively seek out.)

[The Clown Prince]

Toy Story 3 deserves better..:mad:

I would agree, but it's already passed Wall-E's $223 million and is going to pass Up's $293 million total tomorrow. Toy Story 3 will finish with a nice big total in the $300 million club with Alice in Wonderland and Iron Man 2. In fact it will probably finish in the high $300's.

[Tommy Lawson]

I waited to respond to Shawn Hopkins' post from last week's box office thread:


If you're really committed to this alternate reality I'd suggest staying away from these threads for a while, because you're going to be really disappointed and probably kind of embarrassed at how wrong you were. It has the fourth of July weekend pretty much to itself in terms of new movies people care about, that's going to override any Back to the Future III factor. Reuters has two new articles out today saying otherwise about that - Here's Article 1 (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0421585920100704) and Article 2 (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN01903320100704). The BTTF III effect does appear to be showing up here, with the much shortened release gap between the two movies.

Rotten Tomatoes (http://beta.rottentomatoes.com/) and Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com/film/) are giving Eclipse scores above 50%, which is much better than what The Last Airbender is getting right now. With the way the Twilight films have performed in their second weekend, and with The Last Airbender's overall reviews, both movies could be in for a steep drop next weekend. I've already thought out of a title should "Despicable Me" be number one next weekend - "Bugs Bunny No Longer the Only Despicable Cartoon Character" using one of Daffy Duck's most famous lines.

[Shawn Hopkins]

I waited to respond to Shawn Hopkins' post from last week's box office thread:

Reuters has two new articles out today saying otherwise about that - Here's Article 1 (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0421585920100704) and Article 2 (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN01903320100704). The BTTF III effect does appear to be showing up here, with the much shortened release gap between the two movies.


I was wrong about the holiday helping it, the article even seems to be saying it's hurting it a bit. Still, even if it just hits their revised estimate of $181 million for six days it performed slightly better than New Moon, which doesn't seem to prove any BTTF III effect to me. I guess we'll know for sure after Monday.

But the main thing I was trying to say is still valid. We still don't live in a reality where this film is a failure the way Twilight haters want it to be.

I'm kind of shocked that Avatar is beating Toy Story 3. I guess people don't pay that much attention to reviews.

[Wonderwall]

Toy Story 3 deserves better..:mad:

Number 1 for 2 weeks, almost $300 million dollars already, critically acclaimed, a pretty good third week numbers, and most likely will have great legs to make even more money..how much better does it deserve?

[Novapocalypse]

Jeez, Toy Story 3 fell that much this weekend? That's even more than last weekend. I don't understand this... but either way $450 million seems a bit unlikely now. $400 million seems like a possibility though.

[DonkeyKongSong]

Jeez, Toy Story 3 fell that much this weekend? That's even more than last weekend. I don't understand this... but either way $450 million seems a bit unlikely now. $400 million seems like a possibility though.

Losing some of its 3-D screens to The Last Airbender really hurt it, and it will lose even more to Despicable Me. From then it shouldn't lose that much.

[RonDrakenfan17]

I would have thought The Last Airbender would have dropped off in money after its pretty bad reviews. Boy am I shocked!

[Taekmkm]

The internet is fast, but not that fast.

[Tohya]

I'm kind of shocked that Avatar is beating Toy Story 3. I guess people don't pay that much attention to reviews.Really? It doesnt seem to shocking when you really think about it. Last Airbender took a lot of Toy Story's 3D screens, not to mention you have a brand new "blockbuster" movie with quite a fan base (regardless of how bad the move was) debuting vs a three week old movie. I mean with the 3d ticket sales, one would assume Airbender was guaranteed at least a 35+ mil weekend.

[The Clown Prince]

According to Box Office Mojo, Toy Story 3 didn't lose any theaters this weekend, bit screen count I'm not sure. It's still has it's 4,028 theaters. Unless theater owners swapped out 3-D screens for regular ones?

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/ (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/)

[Comics_the_QB]

Although I'm sad to see Toy Story drop as much as it did (I was anticipating it reaching $300 million by today), it will still probably be Pixar's highest grossing film domestically. It's only got $40 million more to go before reaching Finding Nemo.

[CaptainHero]

Airbender is going to drop like a rock next weekend.

Predators is going to open with $20-25 million and not do that well either since the AvP franchise has burnt people out on the idea of more Predator films.

I think Despicable Me is going to do better than some people here are giving it credit, it has quite an impressive cast of whose who in the comedy world right now and if anyone has paid attention to the production of it, it's production is filled with quite a few impressive animators who left to start a new company.

[The Penguin]

I think Despicable Me is going to do better than some people here are giving it credit, it has quite an impressive cast of whose who in the comedy world right now and if anyone has paid attention to the production of it, it's production is filled with quite a few impressive animators who left to start a new company.I'm interested to see how it does. I realize the movie is not targeted fully at me, but I have found the TV commercials generally annoying and stupid (thus affecting my level of interest in seeing it). The full movie trailer on the other hand, made it look really good.

[NewcomerDC]

I'm interested to see how it does. I realize the movie is not targeted fully at me, but I have found the TV commercials generally annoying and stupid (thus affecting my level of interest in seeing it). The full movie trailer on the other hand, made it look really good.
Nah, the film could do well but it might get a lot of negative feedback. Nothing's made me want to see this film. I rather pay for Eclipse than for this.

[CaptainHero]

Nah, the film could do well but it might get a lot of negative feedback. Nothing's made me want to see this film. I rather pay for Eclipse than for this.


Now, why would it get negative feedback? The film currently holds an 8.0 rating on IMdB and you haven't even seen it yet.

The commercials are pretty childish, but I don't understand why people on her are so against a unique and creative looking animated film. The reaction to this film reminds me of how everybody here was trashing Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs before it was released and then backtracked on everything negative they said about it once they saw it.

Sometimes on TZ, it seems like if it isn't a new Pixar film, people are automatically set to hate against it.

[launchpad20]

I rather pay for Eclipse than for this.Some people here might get mad at you for even suggesting that. :sad:
Sometimes on TZ, it seems like if it isn't a new Pixar film, people are automatically set to hate against it.Because they think that Pixar is the end all, be all of 3D animation, or they don't want to see CGI replace pencil animation.

[Blankments]

Opening next weekend are two new movies. First up is the reboot/reimagining/ as Robert Rodriguez puts it of the 'Predator' franchise with Predators (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=54800) (rated R). It stars Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Danny Trejo, Oleg Taktarov, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, and Louiz Ozawa.

I can't be the only one wanting to know how to pronounce this name, right?

Anyways, even though it's still doing great, I just wish Toy Story 3 was doing better. It really is a great movie, and definitely my favorite Pixar. I contributed to its box office this weekend and couldn't have had a better movie for my birthday.

And it's a shame that apparently The Last Airbender sucks. I loved the show and I find it sad when such a great property gets stuck with an apparently awful script that probably people on the boards could write a better one. I was thinking about seeing it soon but am now doubting it and may see Toy Story 3 a third time instead. Advice?

[Rud]

Glad to see the Karate Kid is still doing good.

[OnePark]

Grown Ups is doing good, it seems. Almost earned back it's budget. I liked it, while some seem to hate it.

[Spideyzilla]

I would agree, but it's already passed Wall-E's $223 million and is going to pass Up's $293 million total tomorrow. Toy Story 3 will finish with a nice big total in the $300 million club with Alice in Wonderland and Iron Man 2. In fact it will probably finish in the high $300's.

Overall. a huge hit!

[Beat]

Well, at least it's a confirmed success. Except in Russia.

And if nothing else, The Last Airbender convinced me to (finally) start watching the TV show. So far...it's not that bad. But I'm only two episodes in.

[Scirel]

Well, at least it's a confirmed success. Except in Russia.

And if nothing else, The Last Airbender convinced me to (finally) start watching the TV show. So far...it's not that bad. But I'm only two episodes in.


Just to say, the first season has a lot of semi-filler in the middle, but the finale is worth it. season 2 is amazing all the way through.

[Monterey Jack]

Just to say, the first season has a lot of semi-filler in the middle, but the finale is worth it. season 2 is amazing all the way through.

Yeah, you have to stick with Avatar for a while, which is semi-kiddie for the first half-dozen episodes or so, but gradually builds momentum to a terrific season finale. And the second season is like the Empire Strikes Back of animation. Plus, it has Toph! :D

[Beat]

OK, so I shouldn't be too alarmed that Aang is coming off like Monkey D. Luffy's hyperactive kid brother. Got it.

Anyway, I expect both #1 and #2 to drop significantly next week.

[MetroSparkster]

I'm shocked about TLA. I guess it's all about fanbase, but I could be wrong...

[Knight]

I'm looking forward to the Predators movie. I didn't watch AVP or AVPR at the theatre because they didn't look good (and weren't). This looks very promising. A lot of my friends want to check it out as well.

[Daxdiv]

Huh, kind of surprised at how well Last Airbender is doing. I expect a drop as well, probably under 5. Eclipse can hold on for a little longer.

As for next week, I'm going to be random and say that Despicable Me might win it.

[Ixis Mordo]

Plus, it has Toph!


Not to mention Azula, truly one of modern animation's greatest villains. :evil:

[Katsumara]

I don't know about this weekend, but next weekend with "Despicable Me".. I can't wait. IT'S SO FLUFFY. Oh god that scene is the epitome of cuteness.

[Tommy Lawson]

Toy Story 3 deserves better..:mad:

Some people just can't be happy with what could very well be the #1 movie of 2010. I guess unless it crosses $400 million, or approaches or exceeds the records of Avatar and The Dark Knight, it's another movie with a disappointing return at the box office. Plus, add the fact that when Toy Story 3 goes onto Blu-ray and DVD (likely before Christmas), it'll make even more money for Disney/Pixar then as well. So around here at Toonzone it's not just Eclipse that can have a disappointing box office.

[DonkeyKongSong]

I guess unless it crosses $400 million, or approaches or exceeds the records of Avatar and The Dark Knight, it's another movie with a disappointing return at the box office.

I'd say Shrek 2 is a better comparison. There's a lot of Pixar vs. Dreamworks drama going on, many who believe Pixar is superior to DreamWorks, and Shrek 2 currently holds the animation record. However, what I'm rooting for it is to pass Finding Nemo first as Pixar's highest grossing movie. If it beats that, let's see if it has the momentum to beat Shrek 2...

[Novapocalypse]

Well Despicable Me is opening this Friday, so the only thing I'm particularly worried about is Toy Story 3 ending up taking a huge hit because of that.

[Spideyzilla]

Well Despicable Me is opening this Friday, so the only thing I'm particularly worried about is Toy Story 3 ending up taking a huge hit because of that.

It will: goodbye to the 3D theaters.

[The Clown Prince]

With Monday being a holiday for quite a few people, many took the day to go to the movies. Monday box office....

1) Twilight: Eclipse- $18.8 million ($176.3 million)
2) Toy Story 3- $12.7 million ($301.8 million)
3) The Last Airbender- $11.4 million ($69.3 million)
4) Grown Ups- $7 million ($84.6 million)
5) Knight and Day- $3.7 million ($49.4 million)

[OnePark]

Grown Ups now has $86.9 million worldwide. It's passed it's budget and doing well for itself. I liked it, so it's good to see it a least make it's budget back.

[Shawn Hopkins]

And Eclipse just fails to beat New Moon, although I doubt Summit is crying because it's still a massive money-making juggernaut.

Do I admit that there was a BTTF 3 effect? I admit nothing, Bwaahahaha! No, I'm willing to admit that it might have had an effect, although you'd expect a more precipitous drop.

I think one important thing we're learning here is that there is a very loyal Twilight fanbase, that fanbase is a certain size and isn't getting much bigger, and most of them are so excited about the movie they go see it during the first week but then are done with it until the DVD. So maybe it has a limited audience, but lucky for them that limited audience is big and enthusiastic.

I know I'm a little late to the party, but it's sad that A-Team performed so poorly because I watched it and, to my surprise, it's actually kind of good. Not great, but enjoyable enough that I wouldn't mind sequels.

[DonkeyKongSong]

Out of the top 12 this weekend is Iron Man 2 (13th) whose total is up to $308.2 million and another $303 million from foreign box office. Also gone is Killers (14th).

Killers is actually 16th now. Also gone is Sex and the City 2 (18th) and Jonah Hex (all the way down from 10th to 31st), the latter of which lost 2,475 theaters and is now playing in only 350.

[purplehairedwonder]

Well, I proudly contributed two tickets to Eclipse's numbers this week, one at a midnight showing and one on Monday. Glad to see it breaking records and raking in money. The Twilight fanbase is indeed strong and enthusiastic (:D). The second showing I went to had a) a surprising number of guys and b) a group of 40-something women there, swooning over one Taylor Lautner *cough*

Unfortunately, I also contributed $7 to The Last Airbender's numbers. At least I didn't pay any more than that (saw a 2D matinee).

[Novapocalypse]

Eclipse did about how I expected it to. It's Wednesday-Thursday numbers were a bit higher though it's weekend numbers were a bit lower. Either way I seriously doubt it's going to top New Moon but it should manage over $250 million and probably end around $260-270 million.

I'm expecting Airbender to fall. Hard. Not only is word of mouth absolutely terrible, but it was also sort of big fan event (and was already kind of destined to have a more opening heavy total) which will probably lead to a 60% or more drop into the next weekend.

Toy Story 3 is iffy for this weekend. Unless Disney has some sort of back-up plan in preparation for Despicable Me taking it's 3D screens it could be in for another near 50% drop.

[Blankments]

Interesting bit of info for people thinking Toy Story 3 is losing all its 3D this weekend. My theater is actually dropping The Last Airbender to only two 3D shows a day and the rest on the screen to Toy Story 3. I find that kind of funny. (By the way, my theater has two 3D screens.)

[Novapocalypse]

Interesting bit of info for people thinking Toy Story 3 is losing all its 3D this weekend. My theater is actually dropping The Last Airbender to only two 3D shows a day and the rest on the screen to Toy Story 3. I find that kind of funny. (By the way, my theater has two 3D screens.)

Are they even playing Despicable Me?

[Blankments]

Are they even playing Despicable Me?

As I mentioned, my theater has two screens. One of them is showing Despicable Me and the other is Toy Story 3/The Last Airbender with Toy Story 3 with 4 shows and The Last Airbender with 2. Sorry if that wasn't clear enough.

Also, apparently my other local theater with only one 3D screen is still showing only Toy Story 3.

[The Clown Prince]

Well, a little late in the day to be posting Tuesday's numbers when Wednesday's numbers will be available soon, but what the heck...

1) Twilight: Eclipse- $10.5 million ($186.9 million)
2) Toy Story 3- $5.9 million ($307.8 million)
3) The Last Airbender- $5.3 million ($74.7 million)
4) Grown Ups- $3.7 million ($88.3 million)
5) Knight and Day- $1.6 million ($51.1 million)

[DonkeyKongSong]

My theater has two screens two, and The Last Airbender is leaving for Despicable Me, with Toy Story 3 being untouched. I do remember something like this happening before, when Iron Man 2 came out in digital, we had three or four shows of How to Train Your Dragon followed by one show of Clash of the Titans in 3-D at 9pm on our other screen.

Toy Story 3 in 3-D will probably be kicked out by Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, like it was always supposed to. I say Toy Story 3 might not lose as much this weekend, but when Cats & Dogs 2 comes out, expect another big drop.

On a side note, we actually had The Twilight Saga: Eclipse on a digital screen, but only for midnight. I guess they just wanted to keep Toy Story 3 in 3-D for as long as possible (presumably until Cats & Dogs 2 comes out).

[DarthGonzo]

Wow. Bad word of mouth and horrible reviews must really be hurting TLA if Toy Story can come from behind and stay in 2nd place for most of the week like that.

[NewcomerDC]

I hope that Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore fails because, even with the added 3D, I thought that the commercials did nothing for me. They haven't made me laugh, they haven't changed my views, even if some would call me bias and tell me to go see it and post my thoughts. Plus, with bringing back the villain from the first film as a cameo with the possibility of not doing anything to move the plot along, having a sequel to a mediocre film I saw in theaters when I was 13 this late should had been shelved or been released straight to DVD and Blu-Ray. Then again, we've received prequels, sequels, and films taking place inbetween the first film of many franchises released many years after the first films hit theaters. While some of them were both good and bad, Cats and Dogs 2 might be a bit worst. I'll say this: it'll be a better talking animal flick than Marmaduke. Again, a film I never wanted to see but judged from the commercials of it looking pretty bad.

I know this might be silly but with all of these films being released on IMAX and in 3D this summer, some of these companies should have known that with an anticipated sequel such as Toy Story 3, next to The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, would be the one to bring home the gold in this weak summer movie season. To sum it up, all of the films being released on those formats, is a waste. Sure they'll make some money from those screens but they can't hold a candle to how much business that film has made. I'm surprised that films that lost both IMAX and 3D screens such as Shrek Forever After is still in some theaters down here in Maryland.

[DonkeyKongSong]

I hope that Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore fails because, even with the added 3D, I thought that the commercials did nothing for me. They haven't made me laugh, they haven't changed my views, even if some would call me bias and tell me to go see it and post my thoughts. Plus, with bringing back the villain from the first film as a cameo with the possibility of not doing anything to move the plot along, having a sequel to a mediocre film I saw in theaters when I was 13 this late should had been shelved or been released straight to DVD and Blu-Ray. Then again, we've received prequels, sequels, and films taking place inbetween the first film of many franchises released many years after the first films hit theaters. While some of them were both good and bad, Cats and Dogs 2 might be a bit worst. I'll say this: it'll be a better talking animal flick than Marmaduke. Again, a film I never wanted to see but judged from the commercials of it looking pretty bad.

I know this might be silly but with all of these films being released on IMAX and in 3D this summer, some of these companies should have known that with an anticipated sequel such as Toy Story 3, next to The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, would be the one to bring home the gold in this weak summer movie season. To sum it up, all of the films being released on those formats, is a waste. Sure they'll make some money from those screens but they can't hold a candle to how much business that film has made. I'm surprised that films that lost both IMAX and 3D screens such as Shrek Forever After is still in some theaters down here in Maryland.

I've never seen the original Cats and Dogs, but I would like to see the sequel if for no other reason it was filmed with a 3-D camera - no post-conversion here. And it's actually distributed by Warner Brothers... then again, it was announced before Avatar was released... nonetheless, it will likely be kicked off its 3-D screens three weeks in due to Piranha 3-D... (it's also coming out one week before Step Up 3-D)...

[NewcomerDC]

I've never seen the original Cats and Dogs, but I would like to see the sequel if for no other reason it was filmed with a 3-D camera - no post-conversion here. And it's actually distributed by Warner Brothers... then again, it was announced before Avatar was released... nonetheless, it will likely be kicked off its 3-D screens three weeks in due to Piranha 3-D... (it's also coming out one week before Step Up 3-D)...
See, we have so many 3D films and not one of them are even remotely interesting. Piranha could be one of the films this summer that could receive a 3D Blu-Ray release sometime next year or towards Christmas. The other ones could be released on 2D Blu-Ray/DVD making the 3D releases entirely pointless except for making money. For example, I went into one of the rooms to see something this summer and just closing my eyes and hearing what was being said from the commercial, I knew that Step Up 3D wouldn't be anything special. It's going to be more dancing, a story similar to the first two with nothing pulling me into their world. I can't really see where else you can go once you flipped the title characters stories: leading man being a student of the school and having the leading lady as one from "the streets" (Step Up: 2 The Streets) and vice versa when thinking about the first film.

[The Clown Prince]

Wednesday box office....

1) Twilight: Eclipse- $8.7 million ($195.7 million)
2) Toy Story 3- $5.2 million ($313 million)
3) The Last Airbender- $4.3 million ($79 million)
4) Grown Ups- $3.3 million ($91.6 million)
5) Knight and Day- $1.4 million ($52.6 million)

[Lord Dalek]

2010 YEARLY BOX OFFICE...

1. Alice In Wonderland - $334,185,206
2. Toy Story 3 - $313,077,846
3. Iron Man 2 - $308,738,470
4. Shrek Forever After - 233,077,350
5. How to Train Your Dragon - 216,476,025

No tears from the Marvel Fans. You knew this was inevitable.

[Novapocalypse]

And we should have a new #1 by Monday. ;)

[Tommy Lawson]

2010 YEARLY BOX OFFICE...

1. Alice In Wonderland - $334,185,206
2. Toy Story 3 - $313,077,846
3. Iron Man 2 - $308,738,470
4. Shrek Forever After - 233,077,350
5. How to Train Your Dragon - 216,476,025

No tears from the Marvel Fans. You knew this was inevitable.

#1 - Disney movie
#2 - Pixar movie, and Disney owns Pixar
#3 - Marvel movie, and Disney owns Marvel

So, Disney now has the top three movies of the year right now. So, it looks like the Pixar and Marvel acquisitions were good business moves for Disney.

[Lord Dalek]

#1 - Disney movie
#2 - Pixar movie, and Disney owns Pixar
#3 - Marvel movie, and Disney owns Marvel

So, Disney now has the top three movies of the year right now. So, it looks like the Pixar and Marvel acquisitions were good business moves for Disney.Its been that way for the last two weeks. Aside from Bruckheimer's current (and upcoming) misfire, Disney's done rather well for the year.

Oh and Alice made a billion so they're quite happy.

[NewcomerDC]

Its been that way for the last two weeks. Aside from Bruckheimer's current (and upcoming) misfire, Disney's done rather well for the year.

Oh and Alice made a billion so they're quite happy.
Wasn't his last misfire a terrible Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers movie with a film title that made us think Bruckheimer was working on an anime adaptation? I agree that Sorcerer's Apprentice doesn't look great. Not only could it be the second film Alfred Molina's starring in this summer that may not make back its budget, the effects look terrible. I'm glad that, out of all of these films that have used this medium this summer, this one's not going to be in 3D.

[The Clown Prince]

Thursday box office...

1) Twilight: Eclipse- $7.9 million ($203.6 million)
2) Toy Story 3- $5.1 million ($318.2 million)
3) The Last Airbender- $4 million ($83 million)
4) Grown Ups- $3.2 million ($94.9 million)
5) Knight and Day- $1.4 million ($54 million)

With two new movies opening this weekend, The Hollywood Reporter has their weekend projections (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i76b408899045994d16e0cdc0a4d8ae92) up and Despicable Me is being projected to bring in $30-$35 million with a budget of around $69 million which they note is pretty low for an animated film of this kind. At least 1,500 of it's 3,476 theaters will show it in 3-D.

Fox supposedly would be happy with Predators if it brought in $20 million which it's tracking data shows it'll probably do on it's $38 million budget. Fox is hopeful to relaunch the franchise with this installment. It's reviews at RottenTomatoes aren't all that bad. It's currently at 66%. 71 Fresh, 36 Rotten. (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10012256-predators/)

Eclipse will probably bring in another $30 million and Toy Story 3's projections are not mentioned. It'll take a hit though with the loss of a bunch of 3-D screens. And expect The Last Airbender I'm sure to take a pretty big hit this weekend as well.

[LeatherJeans]

Saw Eclipse on Wednsday. Pretty good yet I'm not into the Twilight series.
I'm hoping to see Despicable Me or Grown-Ups the next time I go to the movies.
And seeing that Disney owns all three highest grossing films of 2010, they seem to own the world (and people's dreams...)

[launchpad20]

Wasn't his last misfire a terrible Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers movie with a film title that made us think Bruckheimer was working on an anime adaptation?Why yes. I believe it was 'G-Force'. Which seemed like an embarrassing amalgamation of 'Rescue Rangers', and 'Gatchaman/Battle Of The Planets/G-Force'. :mad: Athough I've created a much better amalgamation years ago.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j110/launchpad25/rrforce.jpg

[Lord Dalek]

Wasn't his last misfire a terrible Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers movie with a film title that made us think Bruckheimer was working on an anime adaptation? "G-Force" did ok. I was thinking more along the lines of White Guy of Persia The Sands of Gyllenhall.

[NewcomerDC]

Why yes. I believe it was 'G-Force'. Which seemed like an embarrassing amalgamation of 'Rescue Rangers', and 'Gatchaman/Battle Of The Planets/G-Force'. :mad: Athough I've created a much better amalgamation years ago.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j110/launchpad25/rrforce.jpg
This is pretty good. I'd watch it. :)

[Tommy Lawson]

With two new movies opening this weekend, The Hollywood Reporter has their weekend projections (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i76b408899045994d16e0cdc0a4d8ae92) up and Despicable Me is being projected to bring in $30-$35 million with a budget of around $69 million which they note is pretty low for an animated film of this kind. At least 1,500 of it's 3,476 theaters will show it in 3-D.

The Hollywood Reporter should go back and rework their guesswork formula for opening weekends, as they got this weekend wrong - way wrong. From Deadline.com (http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/first-box-office-despicable-me-could-be-good-for-55m-60m-weekend/#comments), Despicable Me is going to be #1 this weekend with a range of between $55 to $60 million! THR understimated the box office weekend for the movie by almost half! Also, Eclipse appears to be holding over better than the first two Twilight films, although the comments on Deadline do make me wonder about how Breaking Dawn will ultimately do in late 2011 and mid 2012.

[NewcomerDC]

Even though I don't think I'll see Despicable Me, it making close to $60 million will mean great things are to come from Illumination Entertainment though not sold on their future film Hop but curious as to what it's going to do with Dr. Seuss' The Lorax.

[Shawn Hopkins]

The Hollywood Reporter should go back and rework their guesswork formula for opening weekends, as they got this weekend wrong - way wrong. From Deadline.com (http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/first-box-office-despicable-me-could-be-good-for-55m-60m-weekend/#comments), Despicable Me is going to be #1 this weekend with a range of between $55 to $60 million! THR understimated the box office weekend for the movie by almost half! Also, Eclipse appears to be holding over better than the first two Twilight films, although the comments on Deadline do make me wonder about how Breaking Dawn will ultimately do in late 2011 and mid 2012.

I thought that Despicable Me figure sounded weird. There seems to be way too much buzz for it for such a low box office.

[The Clown Prince]

The Hollywood Reporter should go back and rework their guesswork formula for opening weekends, as they got this weekend wrong - way wrong. From Deadline.com (http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/first-box-office-despicable-me-could-be-good-for-55m-60m-weekend/#comments), Despicable Me is going to be #1 this weekend with a range of between $55 to $60 million! THR understimated the box office weekend for the movie by almost half! Also, Eclipse appears to be holding over better than the first two Twilight films, although the comments on Deadline do make me wonder about how Breaking Dawn will ultimately do in late 2011 and mid 2012.

Yeah, I guess they did! Despicable Me is going to have a great weekend. FOX will be happy too with how Predators will finish. Again, $38 million budget on a hopeful relaunch of the series. I didn't realize they only released it in 2,669 theaters. I thought it had a wider release. Who knows, FOX might expand it next weekend depending on how it finishes. Anyways, here is the Friday box office....

1) Despicable Me- $21.6 million
2) Twilight: Eclipse- $11 million ($214.6 million)
3) Predators- $10.4 million
4) Toy Story 3- $6.7 million ($324.9 million)
5) The Last Airbender- $5.2 million ($88.2 million)