King Kong Hauled in just over $50 million in estimated box office receipts this weekend. AP called that "a sturdy start but unremarkable by Hollywood blockbuster standards."
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| Kong Disappoints at Box Office |
No kidding. The film now has a five-day total of five-day total of $66.2 million.
John Hamann of Box Office Prophets predicts a good run, with some patience.
"After an opening weekend of $50.2 million and a five-day total of $66.2 million, Kong had better have big legs in the long run. The big ape got off to its much-anticipated debut this weekend, and to the naked eye, the box office result may leave some wondering. However, while the opening seems to be on the soft side, there really is nothing to worry about here. Kong is a good film, albeit long, so Universal will just have to be patient before hitting the December movie lottery," Hamann writes.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe dropped to second place with a strong $31.2 million and lifted its 10-day total to $112.5 million, according to studio estimates released Sunday.
Premiering at No. 3 with $12.7 million was 20th Century Fox's ensemble comic drama "The Family Stone," featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Luke Wilson and Claire Danes in a tale of an uptight businesswoman meeting her fiance's relations during a holiday visit, AP notes.
The top 10:
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "King Kong," $50.15 million.
2. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," $31.2 million.
3. "The Family Stone," $12.7 million.
4. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," $5.9 million.
5. "Syriana," $5.5 million.
6. "Walk the Line," $3.6 million.
7. "Yours, Mine & Ours," $3.4 million.
8. "Brokeback Mountain," $2.4 million.
9. "Just Friends," $1.95 million.
10. "Aeon Flux," $1.7 million.
--Cris Bergman with wire reports