Despite a variety of strong box office performers, comedian Kevin James' "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" exceeded expectations and landed atop the box office charts with a studio estimated $33.80 million. Overall, four movies crossed $20 million for the weekend, with the box office soaring past figures from January of 2008.
The PG comedy "Paul Blart" made an impressive $10,751 per theater over the weekend as it reached both family and adult demographics. In addition, without a single wide release comedy on the release schedule until January 30, the $26 million production "Blart" should remain the number one comedy through the end of the month. When its theatrical run is completed, a domestic total of $80 to $90 million now seems likely, which would make it a noteworthy success for distributor Sony/Columbia.
As "Paul Blart" got off to an unanticipated great start, Clint Eastwood's drama "Gran Torino" also continued to do well with audiences, earning $22.24 million in its second weekend in wide release. "Torino" has hauled in more than $70 million domestically so far and has a very good opportunity to reach the $100 million mark, a rarity for a production with a budget of only $33 million.
The most impressive release of the weekend, however, was the biopic "Notorious," based on the life of famed rapper Notorious B.I.G. "Notorious" made $13,126 per theater - easily the highest total of any film in the top ten - and $21.50 million overall for distributor Fox Searchlight. With such an impressive per venue total, "Notorious" should expand from its 1,638-theater opening and continue to be a strong box office performer for the remainder of January.
"My Bloody Valentine 3-D" also posted impressive numbers, with a studio estimated $21.90 million weekend intake on a per theater average of $8,642. Despite the presence of "The Unborn" in only its second weekend in theaters, "Valentine" reached its intended demographic and will likely maintain its control of thrill-seeking audiences over the next week or so.
Overshadowed by the impressive totals of "Paul Blart" and movies like "Notorious," "Hotel For Dogs" also got off to a solid, but not spectacular, start. "Hotel For Dogs" made $17.70 million on a per theater average of $5,413, meaning it should maintain a steady amount of screenings in the coming weeks.
War film "Defiance" also received its wide expansion over the weekend as it moved to 1,789 theaters across the country. With a studio estimated $9.21 million over the weekend, the drama starring Daniel Craig saw adequate numbers, but with a series of dramas expanding next weekend, it should slip well out of the top ten shortly.
Sliding back into the top ten was "Slumdog Millionaire," which hauled in $5.90 million over the weekend. After winning a slew of awards, including Best Picture at both the Golden Globes and the National Board of Review ceremony, "Slumdog" has maintained a strong hold at the box office. In its tenth weekend, "Slumdog" earned $10,137 per theater and has crossed $40 million domestically despite a budget of just $15 million. With "Slumdog" expected to get a series of Academy Awards nominations this Thursday, it should continue to make a dent at the box office well into February.
The weekend also saw "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Bedtime Stories" both slip over $100 million domestically. "Bedtime Stories" marks the third consecutive time - and fifth time out of six - that Adam Sandler has starred in a movie that has crossed the $100 million mark. Like "Slumdog," "Benjamin Button" should also continue to do well in the next few weeks, as it will likely receive a bevy of Academy Awards nominations, which typically gives a substantial boost to box office numbers.
Early Studio Box Office Estimates For 1/16 - 1/18, [RTT Estimate]:
1) Paul Blart: Mall Cop (Sony/Columbia): $33.80 [$13.5]
2) Gran Torino (Warner Brothers): $22.24 [$18]
3) My Bloody Valentine 3-D (Lionsgate): $21.90 [$16.5]
4) Notorious (Fox Searchlight): $21.50 [$15]
5) Hotel For Dogs (Paramount/Dreamworks): $17.70 [$17.5]
6) Bride Wars (Fox): $11.75 [$11]
7) The Unborn (Universal): $9.85 [$9]
8) Defiance (Paramount Vantage): $9.21 [$7]
9) Marley and Me (Fox): $6.33 [$6]
10) Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight): $5.90 [N/A]
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