Top 10 for May 11-13, 2007 Summary: Sunday estimates are in.
Despite a steep 60% decline in sales from its record-shattering opening weekend, Sony's mega-budgeted Spider-Man 3 continued its utter domination of the marketplace pulling in nearly double the amount of the rest of the top ten combined. Earning an estimated $60 million in its sophomore frame the $300 million budgeted Sam Raimi pic slid despite no major competition amongst newcomers, with Fox Atomic's zombie thriller sequel 28 Weeks Later coming in a distant second with an estimated $10 million.
In ten days the Sony blockbuster has amassed an incredible $242.1 million and is still running ahead of its two predecessors over the comparable time-frame, with 2004's Spider-Man 2 earning $225 million and 2002's Spider-Man taking in $223 million. However, word of mouth appears to be significantly weaker than those two films after a substantial opening weekend lead has dwindled to just 9% ahead. With both Shrek 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End arriving in consecutive weekends starting this Friday, the Tobey Maguire starrer appears likely to become the lowest grossing of the trilogy domestically (Spider-Man took in $403.7 million total, while Spider-Man 2 garnered $373.5 million).
Though the steep sophomore decline was disappointing for Sony, studio execs are ecstatic over Spider-Man 3's overseas take, as the PG-13 release has amassed a monstrous $379.6 million, including $85.4 million this weekend. At its current pace the film seems likely to surpass the overseas grosses of both Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, who pulled in $418 million and $410 million respectively. If the strong overseas trend continues, look for Spider-Man 3 to gross $900 million worldwide, which would easily make it the top worldwide grossing film of the franchise.
Debuting in second was Fox Atomic's zombie-thriller 28 Weeks Later, which finished with an estimated $10 million in 2,303 theaters for a $4,342 average. The sequel to Danny Boyle's 2003 sleeper hit 28 Days Later, the R-rated shock-fest debuted nearly identical to its predecessor, which opened to $10.1 million. However, that film launched in just 1,260 theaters, averaging a much more powerful $7,986 per theater. Despite earning very solid reviews from critics, 28 Weeks Later lacked the kind of buzz that helped elevate 28 Days Later from indie British import to summer sleeper hit in June 2003. Unless word of mouth picks up, expect 28 Weeks Later to finish below the $45 million domestic take of its predecessor.
Universal's counter-programming ploy didn't really work out as planned, as Garry Marshall's chick flick Georgia Rule finished weakly in third with an estimated $5.9 million in its opening weekend. Averaging a poor $2,330 in 2,523 theaters, the R-rated Lindsay Lohan-Jane Fonda starrer failed to appeal to the wider female demographic base, with a vast majority of ticket buyers averaging over 30 years of age.
Paramount's sleeper hit Disturbia fell a top ten best 18% to an estimated $4.8 million, pushing its five week cume to a very impressive $66.3 million. Debuting in fifth was the military comedy Delta Farce, which was dead on arrival with an estimated $3.5 million opening. Panned by critics, the PG-13 Lions Gate release averaged a pathetic $1,813 from 1,931 theaters.
Debuting out of the top ten was MGM's The Ex with an estimated $1.35 million, averaging just $1,342 in 1,009 theaters. Starring Zach Braff and Amanda Peet, the film was doomed by dreadful reviews, a low theater count and virtually no marketing campaign.
In limited release, Sundance Film Festival darling Waitress expanded to 65 theaters, earning an estimated $636,000 for a $9,788 average. Starring Keri Russell and Cheryl Hines, the Fox Searchlight release will get a significant boost in theaters for the Memorial Day weekend, with the studio planning on releasing the film in 500 theaters nationwide.
With Spider-Man 3 continuing to dominated the marketplace the top ten films grossed an estimated $94.1 million, up 16% from last year's comparable frame when MI: 3 was tops with $25 million. Next weekend should get interesting with the debut of DreamWorks' eagerly anticipated sequel Shrek the Third.
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