'Marley' fetches Christmas prize
Family drama tops box office with $14.8 million
More Articles:
Most Viewed:
'New Moon' breaks box office records(6423 views)'Avatar' toys with augmented reality(2557 views)Spielberg, King team on 'Dome'(2464 views)Ever capable entrepreneur(1814 views)Planet 51(1636 views)'Oprah' to end run in 2011(1476 views) |
Not only does "Marley" feature an adorable dog, it is rated PG, meaning it is appropriate for families.(Bring your hankies, however.)
Paramount's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"--toplining Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett--also overperformed, grossing an estimated $11.8 million from 2,988 runs to score the second best Christmas Day opener of all time. Directed by David Fincher, "Button" has already picked up a number of key award noms.
"Marley" and "Button" did 40% to %50% more business than box office insiders expected.
A record five films opened nationwide on Thursday. Disney family title "Bedtime Stories"--toplining Adam Sandler--grossed roughly $10.5 million from 3,651 theaters to place No. 3 for the day. Film should pick up the pace today as kids are freed up.
The big question is whether "Bedtime" can beat "Button" and come in No. 2 for the long Christmas weekend.
Tom Cruise starrer "Valkyrie," from United Artists/MGM, also found more holiday cheer that forecasted. Nazi thriller, directed by Bryan Singer, came in No. 4 in its debut, grossing an estimated $8.5 million from 2,711 runs.
The only title underperforming among the five Christmas Day openers was Lionsgate's "The Spirit," from Frank Miller. Title, placing No. 7 for the day, debuted to an estimated $4 million from 2,509 theaters.
Beating "Spirit" were holdovers "Yes Man," from Warner Bros., and Sony's "Seven Pounds." Toplining Jim Carrey, "Yes man" grossed an estimated $6 million from 3,434 playdates for a cume of more than $33 in its 7th day in release.
"Seven Pounds," starring Will Smith, grossed an estimated $4.8 million from 2,758 runs for a cume of $25.6 million in its 7th day.
