Weekend Box Office: 'Scooby' scares away the zombies!

[The Clown Prince]

Probably as no surprise to anyone, considering how many theaters this played in (3,312) Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed brought in $30.7 million in it's opening weekend, but probably expect that number to fall fast. To compare this opening to the first 'Scooby' movie, the first one made $54.1 million on June 14 of 2002 and went on to make $153.2 million overall.

Last week I said I thought The Lady Killers might bomb and that it didn't appeal to me and probably anyone else really. And I said I would admit I was wrong if it did well. OK, I admit it. I was wrong. It doesn't appeal to me but with everyone else it does as The Lady Killers came in second place this weekend. To add to the fact that it did appeal to people it came in second place opening in only 1,583 theaters making $13 million in it's opening weekend. With an impressive debut, expect Buena Vista to put this out in more theaters. Congrats.

Meanwhile, The Passion of the Christ came in third place this weekend with $12.4 million and a $315 million total. Let's take a look at what 'Passion' has jumped on the all-time list since last weekend. It past Shrek, The Matrix Reloaded to become the biggest R rated film, it passed Home Alone, The Empire Stirkes Back, The Sixth Sense, Pirates of the Caribbean, Independence Day, Return of the Jedi, Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. So 'Passion' now sits at number 13 just short of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and it's $317.5 million.

Dawn of the Dead, number one last weekend fell to fourth place with $10.3 million and a $43.8 million total. With it's combined total of a production budget and marketing and advertising, 'Dawn' cost about $46 million to make.

Opening in 1,520 theaters and coming in fifth was Kevin Smith's new film Jersey Girl which made $8.3 million.

Also opening this weekend was Never Die Alone which came in eleventh place with $3 million in 1,160 theaters.

Return of the King leaves the top 12 as it now starts to disapear from theaters pretty rapidly now and getting ready for it's May 25th DVD release date. Currently 'King' has $374.6 million to it's name.

OK, next weekend we've got a pretty highly anticipated movie among comic book lovers and geeks a like. Hellboy starring Ron Pearlman as the title character should do pretty well next weekend. The question of whether this will do well among people who have no clue who this character is or what the movie is about remains to be seen.

Also opening is Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's newest movie Walking Tall. We also have Disney's newest animated film Home On The Range starring the voices of Roseanne, Judi Dench, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Tilly, and Randy Quaid.

Then there is The Prince and Me with Julia Stiles, and Luke Mably.

Busy weekend next week.

Here are your numbers...

1) Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed- $30,745,000 ($30,745,000) NEW!!!
2) The Ladykillers- $13,000,000 ($13,000,000) NEW!!!
3) The Passion of The Christ- $12,461,017 ($315,019,821)
4) Dawn of the Dead- $10,346,220 ($43,891,220)
5) Jersey Girl- $8,302,659 ($8,302,659) NEW!!!
6) Taking Lives- $6,530,000 ($21,690,000)
7) Starsky & Hutch- $6,285,000 ($76,895,000)
8) Hidalgo- $5,433,000 ($56,524,000)
9) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind- $5,423,905 ($16,718,746)
10) Secret Window- $5,400,000 ($40,656,000)
11) Never Die Alone- $3,075,000 ($3,075,000) NEW!!!
12) 50 First Dates- $2,450,000 ($116,813,000)

The Clown Prince

[Corrado]

Sadly, "Scooby-Doo 2" was #1, but hopefully it won't be next week.

The other new movies opened well.

Next week, I predict "Hellboy" to be #1, with "Walking Tall" #2.

[sag_2002]

No big surprise to see "Scooby" take the top, but expect "Hellboy" to be the #1 next week.

[Tobias]

In all fairness, Scooby #2 was FAR better than the first one was. I won't be #1 next week, but I think it may linger in the top 10 for a few weeks.

Expect Passion to regain the #1 spot on Easter weekend.

[Caffeine King]

Hopefully Scooby Doo 2 will drop (it most likely will.)

Hellboy will probably be #1 next weekend. Walking Tall will probably make it soemwhere in the top 5 or top 10, I doubt it'll make it to #2, but you never know.

I'm sure The Lady killers will drop to #4 or #5 next weekend.

[Juu-kuchi]

Jesus, you're died for our sins and came back to life, what is a talking dog compared to you!? Surely if you can come back to life you can beat a talking dog at the Box Office.

But alas, you did not. You have forsaken me.

[wrenchien]

the weekend's still young.. still until midnight to get the final totals in the pacific time zones.. and don't forget the crucial hawaii bucks in the honolulu theaters.. not much in alaska, as many small cities up there, do not get movies in cinema, or anti-polar bear tow missiles to protect from the flaming ice-blasting, mean polar bears . mmm.

at best it'd wind up a sleeper film , the 2nd scooby doo. and i'd imagine they'd probably consider doing a 3rd as a prequel more in depth with the 'pup named scooby doo' series and its wackiness if for some reason.. this thing does make it even remotely near a $100 million.

[TheEvilClown]

In all fairness, Scooby #2 was FAR better than the first one was. I won't be #1 next week, but I think it may linger in the top 10 for a few weeks.

Expect Passion to regain the #1 spot on Easter weekend.

Not going to happen. The Best it can get is 15 million and I think Possibly the Alamo will get more then 20 that weekend either that or the Girl Next store

[The Penguin]

I really enjoyed the first one so I was happy to see Doo 2 make the top spot. If it's a little over half as funny as the first one I'd be happy. Hopefully it will be more than that though.

The more I see promos for it, the more I think The Ladykillers could be really funny. I might have to go check it out eventually.

I actually like Ben Affleck, but after Jersey Girl I think he should consider taking a break to write until people care more about his work than his personal life.

Movies rarely go back up to the #1 spot after going to third and lower and I doubt The Passion will be an exception. Just because it feature Jesus doesn't mean everyone will go. I've found that's not the case here, but everyone I've talked to wouldn't want to go see it a second time and some don't even care to go to it because they've heard how violent it is.

Next week will be the epic battle between two groups of fans that tend to crossover sometimes. The wrestling fans have The Rock and Walking Tall (you want a talkback, I'll get you a talkback—on Friday) and the comic fans have Ron Pearlman and Hellboy. The Rock's other starring efforts have all debuted at number one, will he be given hell? Tune in next Sunday to find out!

[RZetlin]

So does it mean:

Scooby-Doo > Zombies > Jesus?

[Batmex]

Jesus, you're died for our sins and came back to life, what is a talking dog compared to you!? Surely if you can come back to life you can beat a talking dog at the Box Office.

But alas, you did not. You have forsaken me.

LOL , remember Easter is Jesus' season, don't give up on Him just yet

[wrenchien]

i wonder if roger smith can get for us the mexican box office totals? that's a country, as well, mexico... i bet a lot of movies in america we think are flops probably do real well over there.

i've also noted there's simulcast releases of the best american movies in mexico.. would be intriguing to see how much in mexico scooby doo, passion of the christ, etc.. would make.

not that i've gone to mexico on a regular basis like i did.. just not much left to do there, that i've already done.

[TheEvilClown]

Ha Easter is not going to give Passion the Christ the #1 Spot back. Here is why First of all I know a lot of people that have seen the movie already and they do not want to see it again. Once was enough for them true maybe a lot of people do not feel that way but I do not see this film becoming #1 again sorry to say. If Passion was to be #1 again it would have to increase 100% and I still don't see that happening. Next Week Passion will be probally in 6th with probally a estimate of 8.2 which would mean that it would need 85% to get to either 15-20

[shogunthethird]

Mel Gibson and Jesus were quoted as saying "...and our zombie plan would've worked if it weren't for those meddling kids and that dog...."

[Elf]

Looks like Christ was able to put the dead back to hell, but not Scooby.

[Tobias]

It looks like Scooby and the Gang can finally say they're bigger than Jesus. I would have found it ironic if the surviving Beatles had a cameo in this movie.

[Elf]

Come Easter (the day, not the weekend.) and he will return to number 1.