The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend. Be sure to check back on Monday for final figures based on actual box office.
The third weekend of the year was a race for first between two previous champs, with the end result being too close to call. Sony’s Screen Gems puts its dance drama Stomp the Yard in first with an estimated $13.3 million, for a two week total of $41.6 million. The film cost just $14 million to make. However, Fox says action-adventure Night at the Museum added $13 million in its fifth weekend. The Ben Stiller-starrer has crossed the $200 million mark and is at $205.8 million, climbing to the 67th spot on the all-time domestic blockbuster list. The final figures on Monday will tell whether these two films stay in their respective positions or if they will swap places.
Building on its Golden Globe win for Best Picture (Comedy or Musical), Dreamgirls went up a spot from last weekend to third and made $8.7 million in its sixth frame. The hit musical has collected $78.1 million.
Rogue Pictures’ The Hitcher, the only new wide release, had to settle for fourth place with $8.2 million. The thriller remake, starring Sean Bean, Sophia Bush, Zachary Knighton and Neal McDonough, averaged $2,908 in 2,831 theaters.
Will Smith’s The Pursuit of Happyness rounded out the top five with $6.7 million. The Sony drama, budgeted at $55 million, has earned an impressive $146.5 million in six weeks.
Paramount’s Freedom Writers, featuring Hilary Swank, garnered $5.6 million in its third weekend for a total of $26.9 million. The drama was made for $21 million.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth added 415 theaters for a total of 609 and climbed from 16th to 7th, making $4.7 million in its fourth weekend. Picturehouse’s fantasy film has earned $10.2 million.
In its 17th weekend, and after a Best Actress (Drama) win at the Golden Globes for its star Helen Mirren, The Queen got a boost of 1,242 additional theaters for a total of 1,586 and jumped from 24th to 8th. The Miramax film collected $3.7 million and has reached $35.9 million.
Also, winner for Best Picture (Drama) at the Golden Globes, Paramount Vantage’s Babel added 716 theaters and made $2.3 million for a total of $23.9 million after 13 weeks.
Click here for the full box office estimates of the top 12 films.
