It’s a close race at the top, but considering Megamind caters to the kiddies I expect it to take its tiny lead over fellow newcomer, Due Date, and turn it into a rather easy box-office victory.
Opening on Friday in 3,944 theaters, Megamind and its 18% 3D price hike took home $12.5 million, which will have the film eying a $40-42 million weekend. Resident Box-Office Oracle, Laremy Legel, predicted exactly $42 million so he may be enjoying a Sunday morning of “toldja so.” However, this number is quite low compared to tracking, which had the film as high as $51 million.
By comparison, Due Date‘s Friday was actually more impressive taking in $12.3 million in only 3,355 theaters. Obviously being in fewer theaters makes it a more impressive result, but the fact it isn’t benefiting from 3D ticket prices also shows people really wanted to see what Todd Phillips had in store for them after The Hangover. That $12.3 million will likely translate into something around $34 million.
The week’s other major newcomer was Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls, which opened in 2,127 theaters and brought in $7.4 million. Given the R-rating and adult subject matter I don’t see this one making much headway over the weekend and will likely finish around $20-21 million, also below tracking.
However, despite all three films having a hard time living up to tracking estimates this weekend is setting up to be quite big. As Variety points out in their report of Friday’s numbers, “if the numbers hold up, box office is on track to coming close to the 2003 industry record of $153 million for the first weekend in November.” So perhaps we’ll have more than just individual movies to talk about on Sunday morning.
Either way, stay tuned, I’ll be back on Sunday with a complete box-office wrap-up. For now here are Friday’s top ten numbers.
- Megamind – $12.5 million
- Due Date – $12.3 million
- For Colored Girls – $7.4 million
- Red – $2.6 million
- Saw 3D – $2.6 million
- Paranormal Activity 2 – $2.34 million
- Jackass 3D – $1.6 million
- Secretariat – $1.2 million
- Hereafter – $1.1 million
- The Social Network – $1 million
