Posted: Sat., Jul. 5, 2008, 9:10am PT

'Hancock' sparks $18.8 million Friday

Sony, Will Smith film tops Fourth of July B.O.

In its third day, Sony's "Hancock" reeled in $18.8 million, giving the thesp his highest grossing B.O. for the holiday. Smith's previous July 4th record belonged to "Independence Day" which racked up $17.3 million in 1996.

In its first three days, including Tuesday previews, "Hancock's" $60.1 million haul is currently pacing behind the $63.6 million cumed by "Independence Day" over the same frame, but ahead of the "Men in Black" films. "Hancock" is playing at 3,965 theaters.

The receipts generated by the top film on July 4th has varied greatly over the years depending on where the holiday falls during the week. Last year when July 4th fell on a Wednesday, "Transformers" racked up $29.1 million, however the year prior when the holiday fell on a Tuesday, "Superman Returns" grossed $10.5 million.

Disney's Pixar pic "Wall-E" crossed $100 million, becoming the 58th title to do so in Mouse House history. In second, "Wall-E" dug up $9.1 million at 3,992 venues, down 61% from its opening day.

Among Pixar releases, "Wall-E's" first week cume of $94.7 million placed second behind 2003's "Finding Nemo" which generated $97.5 million. The eight-day gross for "Wall-E" currently stands at an estimated $103.8 million.

In third, Universal's graphic novel adaptation "Wanted" grossed $5.4 million from 3,185, down 72% in its second Friday. The film has cleared over $70 million to date.

Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow's "Get Smart" nabbed $3 million from 3,574 in fourth place, down 55% from a week ago, bringing its domestic cume to $90 million.

Paramount's DreamWorks toon "Kung Fu Panda" slotted fifth, chalking up $2.1 million at 3,347, a 40% decline and a B.O. to date of $188 million.

Picturehouse's "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" leaped into eighth place after upping its theater count from five to 1,843 locales. "Kit" brought in $857,000, raising its total B.O. to $3.4 million.


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