The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend. Click here for the full box office estimates of the top 12 films and then check back on Monday for the final figures based on actual box office.
Relativity Media thriller Limitless surpassed expectations, opening in first place with an estimated $19 million from 2,756 theaters. Made for about $27 million, the film averaged $6,894 per theater. Directed by Neil Burger (The Illusionist), Limitless stars Bradley Cooper (The A-Team, The Hangover) as an unsuccessful writer whose life is transformed by a top-secret “smart drug” that allows him to use 100% of his brain and become a perfect version of himself. Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish, Anna Friel and Tomas Arana co-star.
The Gore Verbinski-directed Rango remained in second place with another $15.3 million for a drop of just 32.2% in ticket sales. The Paramount release has reached $92.6 million domestically after three weeks and was made for $135 million. Rango added $20 million internationally and has a foreign take of $73 million so far.
Sony’s Battle: Los Angeles dropped a big 60% its second weekend and down to third place. The $70 million sci-fi action film added $14.6 million for a total of $60.6 million domestically. Battle: Los Angeles topped the international box office this weekend with $29 million. It has reached a total gross of $51.9 million overseas.
Matthew McConaughey-starrer The Lincoln Lawyer (Lionsgate) debuted in fourth place with $13.4 million from 2,707 theaters. The $40 million crime thriller, directed by Brad Furman, co-stars Marisa Tomei, Josh Lucas, John Leguizamo, Frances Fisher, Bob Gunton, Laurence Mason, Bryan Cranston and William H. Macy.
Following close in fifth was Universal’s Paul, which earned $13.2 million from 2,802 theaters. Also made for about $40 million, the Greg Mottola-directed comedy stars Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Jane Lynch, Sigourney Weaver, Joe Lo Truglio, David Koechner, Blythe Danner and John Carroll Lynch.
Warner Bros.’ Red Riding Hood dropped three spots to sixth with $7.3 million, bringing its total to $26 million. Catherine Hardwicke directed the $42 million film, starring Amanda Seyfried.
Universal’s The Adjustment Bureau added $5.9 million its third weekend for a total of $48.8 million, while Disney’s Mars Needs Moms continued to struggle with just $5.3 million in its second weekend. The latter cost a whoppin’ $150 million to make and has earned just $15.4 million.
Also notable in limited release was Thomas McCarthy’s Win Win, starring Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Melanie Lynskey, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor and Alex Shaffer. The drama earned $154,000 from only five theaters which is an average of $30,800 per location.
Ticket sales this year are off 20 percent and attendance is down 21 percent compared to last year. Avatar and Alice in Wonderland kept pulling in moviegoers the opening months of 2010 and, while Sucker Punch should open fairly well, we think the year will really kick off when Rio and Scream 4 open on April 15th.
Click here for the full box office results of the top 12 films.
