Keeping with the trend of big budget superhero releases, "The Incredible Hulk" smashes into theaters across the country this weekend, bringing with it big expectations. M. Night Shyamalan's newest release "The Happening" also hits theaters, with the popular writer/director hoping to rebound from the lackluster box office performance of his last release "Lady in the Water."
The last time we saw the famous green comic book hero was in director Ang Lee's version "Hulk" back in 2003. Though the film managed $132 million domestically and $245 million worldwide, it fell way short of expectations that it would be among the year's top grossing films. The film was greeted harshly by critics and fans of the comic book alike, and it managed to make just $70 million in the weeks following its $62 million opening. Its $132 million intake makes it easily the lowest domestic total ever for a movie that made more than $60 million on its opening weekend; the next closest is the $180 million that the "Planet of the Apes" remake made in 2001.
Substituting Eric Bana for Ed Norton, "The Incredible Hulk" hopes to wipe the slate clean and appeal to both the hardcore fans of the comic book as well as those looking for big time action. Despite Universal's attempt to distance itself from the 2003 version, however, there will likely be some sort of a hangover effect that could ultimately slow down the opening numbers. With "The Happening" opening alongside it, "The Incredible Hulk" won't likely see the rapturous numbers that Paramount enjoyed with "Iron Man," which made $98 million over its opening weekend back in early May.
Nonetheless, action-loving audiences still tend to come out in droves when a familiar subject is brought to the big screen with the promise of big budget special effects. Marketers have also gone through great pains to highlight the cameo by Robert Downey Jr.'s "Iron Man" character, hoping to benefit from his tremendous newfound popularity. Adding in the respect and credibility that actor Ed Norton brings with him, "The Incredible Hulk" should still have a very big weekend and easily pull in enough to land in the number one spot. Look for it to end up around $55 million and finish well ahead of "The Happening."
After writing and directing such blockbusters as "The Sixth Sense," "Signs" and "The Village," M. Night Shyamalan proved that not everything he touches turns to gold with the release of 2006's "Lady in the Water." The thriller starring Paul Giamatti hauled in just $72 million worldwide and sent Shyamalan back to the drawing board to try to find a new thriller that would connect with audiences. The result is the new thriller "The Happening," which stars Mark Wahlberg and hits theaters across the country this weekend.
Shyamalan proved in 1999 that audiences were eager to see a creative new type of thriller, as "The Sixth Sense" became a phenomenon on its way to making $293 million domestically and $672 million worldwide. "Signs" also proved to be a tremendous success, as it crossed the $400 million worldwide mark and - despite mixed feelings among fans and critics - "The Village" still made $256 million worldwide.
Though it's possible that audiences have grown tired of Shyamalan's thrillers, it's more likely that "Lady in the Water" was just an anomaly. Star Paul Giamatti does have a tremendous amount of respect within actor circles, but he doesn't have the same box office pull as "Signs" star Mel Gibson or "The Sixth Sense" star Bruce Willis. Wahlberg has more of a widespread appeal than Giamatti, and the film's subject matter is an easier sell than the murky premise of "Lady in the Water." "The Happening" will have some serious competition for audience members with "The Incredible Hulk," however, and its release at 2,986 theaters compared with the 3,505 theaters of "Hulk" will hurt its opening potential. Look for "The Happening" to open in the neighborhood of $25 to $30 million.
"Kung Fu Panda" should also have another big weekend coming off its $60.23 million opening intake a week ago. As "The Happening" and "The Incredible Hulk" battle for audiences, "Kung Fu Panda" might be able to sneak into second place. The animated film from Dreamworks Animation will remain a strong box office draw for the next couple of weeks until Pixar's "Wall E" comes to theaters in the last weekend in June.
RTT Box Office Estimates For 6/13 - 6/15 (In Millions):
1) The Incredible Hulk (Universal): $55
2) Kung Fu Panda (Dreamworks/Paramount): $32
3) The Happening (Fox): $30
4) You Don't Mess With the Zohan (Sony/Columbia): $20
5) Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Paramount): $14
6) Sex and the City (New Line): $13
7) The Strangers (Rogue): $4.5
8) Iron Man (Paramount): 3.5
9) The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Buena Vista): $3
10) What Happens In Vegas (Fox): $1.8
11) Baby Mama (Universal): $1.3
12) Speed Racer (Warner Brothers): $1.2
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.