Weekend Box Office: Van Helsing rules first summer weekend!

[The Clown Prince]

The summer movie season is here, and we kick it off with Van Helsing which to no one's surprise came in first place with $54.2 million. Van Helsing is the second highest debuting film this year. So far, The Passion of the Christ has the biggest opening of 2004 with $83.8 million.

Coming in second place was Mean Girls which made $14 million and has a total so far of $42.3 million.

In third place was Man on Fire making another $7.9 million for a total of $56 million.

Opening in fourth place was New York Minute, which to most, probably were expecting it to do a lot better made only $6.2 million. Ouch.

And rounding out the top 5 is 13 Going On 30 which made $5.5 million and has a total of $42.5 million.

Next weekend the summer movie season continues with what will be another huge movie, and one that I've personally been waiting for for a while now, Troy. Starring an all-star cast of Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, Sean Bean, Peter O'Toole, and Brian Cox.

Also opening next weekend is Breakin' All the Rules with Jamie Foxx.

1) Van Helsing- $54,214,875 ($54,214,875) NEW!!!
2) Mean Girls- $14,000,000 ($42,397,000)
3) Man on Fire- $7,900,000 ($56,015,923)
4) New York Minute- $6,240,000 ($6,240,000) NEW!!!
5) 13 Going on 30- $5,500,000 ($42,563,000)
6) Laws of Attraction- $3,475,000 ($11,889,000)
7) Kill Bill Vol. 2- $3,023,000 ($57,792,769)
8) Godsend- $2,700,000 ($11,300,000)
9) Envy- $2,600,000 ($10,100,000)
10) The Punisher- $1,200,000 ($32,100,000)
11) Home on the Range- $1,000,000 ($47,009,000)
12) Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed- $1,000,000 ($81,029,000)

The Clown Prince

[Caffeine King]

Ehh...

No surprise that Van Helsing is at the top and New York Minute flopped.

[Tobias]

I was expecting the Olsen Twins to almost overpower Van Helsing, similiar to what Lizzie Maguire almost did to X2 last year.

Nothing interesting for me this weekend, and it looks like next week is the same. I won't be seeing anything until Shrek 2.

[RayChuang]

It will be interesting to see how Troy does next weekend. They've played down the mythological aspects of the story, something that might not be acceptable to some viewers.

The big weekends are going to be reserved for Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Spiderman 2.

[chevy citation]

80% of the audience for New York Minute was girls under 11.

The Olsen twins flick ain't even getting a tween audience, let alone the teenage audience they were hoping for.

[Tobias]

80% of the audience for New York Minute was girls under 11.

The Olsen twins flick ain't even getting a tween audience, let alone the teenage audience they were hoping for.

You know, looking at the trailer again, and with the exception of the big name cast, this looks almost EXACTLY like every other DTV film they've done, not to mention every t.v. show since Full House.

Maybe these Wonder Twins need to deactivate and go solo for a few projects.

[Elf]

It was expected. Can't wait for Troy.

[chevy citation]

You know, looking at the trailer again, and with the exception of the big name cast, this looks almost EXACTLY like every other DTV film they've done, not to mention every t.v. show since Full House.

I wonder what's in it to make it PG and not G.

Troy looks interesting and I'll be first in line to see it (because of Brad Pitt and all.

But I've never really understood the Iliad. All that death and fighting cuz of a woman.

[Elf]

Yeah, i'm also wondering why the war was fought over a woman.

[DarthGonzo]

80% of the audience for New York Minute was girls under 11.

The Olsen twins flick ain't even getting a tween audience, let alone the teenage audience they were hoping for.

Exactly what I was hoping would happen. Those little losers arent the queens of all media that they think they are.

[Nick Biped]

Not surprising "Van Helsing" did so well. Considering all the hype, it was gonna be pretty much critic-proof. Eh, nothing debuting this weekend really appealed to me.

[Haruhara]

well, this was a shocker. I wouldve expected NYM to be at least #2..but getting beat by MEAN GIRLS? -_-;

disappointed..very..

And im not saying i LOVE the olsens and wanted the movie to be big..its just that it got so much hype i wouldve thought it would be very popular.

[Tobias]

NYM will make it's money back on DVD, since that's where the Olsens make all their money anyway.

[Nick K.]

Once word gets around hopefully Van Helsing will lose steam, and Troy is definitely going to rule all!

[JLApe]

You mean when word gets around how entertaining it is?

Most people go to the movies to be entertained, not to appreciate its artistic merits. Most people don't give a damn what critics think (I know that from experience, both as a member of the masses and a critic). So unless they know you personally, they have no reason to heed your recommendation.

Van Helsing is entertaining in many parts. A great film? Hell no (no pun intended). I can go into detail why it ain't but it's not like the masses care whether or not it's a great film. If they enjoyed these kinds of effects-heavy, diluted dialogue, bad characterization etc., it's their right to. My wife likes the movie, then again she also likes Hugh Jackman.

I predict Van Helsing will make back all of its costs in overseas releases. Just you watch.

[Eddie G.]

I really want to see New York Minute only to see the Olsen twins reuninted with their former tv-dad, as you can see in the trailers.

[Caffeine King]

I doubt that Troy will be huge.

It'll either flop badly or do decent.

It'll probably make $150 million or something, but who knows...

[Deadly Messiah]

Van Helsing was excellent. Some parts of the movie had some bad acting, but I didn't let that ruin the movie for me. This is definitely one I would love to see again if I have the chance. I will be seeing Troy this weekend, so that should be interesting, I hope.

[Lord Dalek]

Memorial Day Weekend is going to be very interesting: Shrek vs. Troy vs. Crappy Emmerich Disaster Movie.

[Chris Wood]

Aigghh!! I really missed the mark on New York Minute. I was expecting around $20 million. I guess they didn't show enough skin to bring in the young male audience.Van Helsing did a bit better than expected. How will it fare against Troy? Might be tough.