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.
Universal Pictures’ The Bourne Ultimatum broke the August record for an opening weekend with an estimated $70.2 million from 3,660 theaters for an average of $19,175. The third installment surpassed the $67.4 million opening by Rush Hour 2 the same weekend in 2001. By comparison, The Bourne Identity opened with $27.1 million in June of 2002, and The Bourne Supremacy debuted with $52.5 million in July of 2004. Those two films went on to gross nearly $485 million worldwide combined. “Ultimatum” was again directed by “Supremacy” helmer Paul Greengrass, and stars Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, David Strathairn, Paddy Considine and Edgar Ramirez.
Despite dropping 65.4% in tickets sales, Fox’s The Simpsons Movie added another $25.6 million in second place for a two-week total of $128.6 million domestically. The big screen debut cost about $75 million to make.
Walt Disney Pictures’ big screen Underdog adaptation landed in third with an estimated $12 million from 3,013 theaters. The movie features the voices of Jason Lee and Amy Adams and stars Peter Dinklage and Patrick Warburton.
Universal’s I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry dropped two spots to fourth, making $10.5 million in its third weekend for a sum of $91.7 million. The comedy was made for about $85 million.
New Line’s Hairspray rounded out the top five with $9.33 million and has collected $78.9 million after three weeks.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix earned $9.29 million to bring its total to $260.8 million after four weeks.
No Reservations dropped 43.9% its second weekend, making $6.6 million for a total of $24.2 million.
Transformers is nearing the $300 million mark, adding $5.95 million this weekend and bringing its total to $296.3 million after five weeks.
Newcomers Hot Rod and Bratz were mostly ignored by moviegoers, only taking in $5 million and $4.3 million, respectively.
In limited release, El Cantante, starring Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, earned $3.3 million from 542 theaters, while Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy-starrer Becoming Jane earned $1 million from 100 theaters. Indie comedy The Ten collected $117,500 from 25 locations.
Click here for the full box office estimates of the top 12 films.