Same ’ol, same ‘ol
National Treasure: Book of Secrets retained its stranglehold on the top spot, bringing in another $54.5 million over the extended, five-day weekend, for a total of $149.9 million. Meanwhile, Alvin and the Chipmunks proved it, too, is a juggernaut, earning $41 million to bring its total to $153.6 million in three weeks.
The up side
Once upon a time, $100 million made you a blockbuster. But inflation being what it is, $200 million seems to be the new benchmark if we’re really wanting to identify the elite movies. And if that’s the case, 2007 was flush with blockbusters. I Am Legend used its $39 million weekend to become the ninth film to cross that threshold in 2007 — three more than in 2006.
Bomb Squad
The Squad claims no new victims this week, though it has its eye on a couple of potential inductees. But for now, Charlie Wilson’s War ($41 million made on a $75 million budget) and Sweeney Todd ($30.6 million made on a $50 million budget) receive a reprieve before judgment is passed.
Swami sez
Those long weekends do wonders.
Prediction: National Treasure retains the box office title with another $45 million.
Result: This race wasn’t even close.
Prediction: Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem finishes the highest of the Christmas Day releases with $36 million.
Result: It vanquished the rest of the newbies but finished about $6 mil. short of the guess.
One new face
Only one new film is braving the January cold for a wide release this weekend. One Missed Call, in which people answer their phones and learn the details of their death, will open on more than 2,000 screens. But will post-holiday audiences be in the mood for scary fare?
Prediction: Not really. One Missed Call earns $9 million and a No. 4 finish.
Threepeat
If this weekend’s top spot looks familiar, it should come as no surprise. Night at the Museum, which opened the weekend before Christmas in 2006, held the top spot for three weeks, including the first weekend of 2007.
Prediction: Like Night at the Museum, National Treasure also goes three-for-three, earning $21 million.
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