Basically two movies existed at the domestic box office this weekend: 2012 and A Christmas Carol. Director Roland “I blow up the world” Emmerich’s latest disaster epic 2012, based on the ending of the Myan calender, was golden with $65 million. Rumored to be Emmerich’s final attempt at catastrophe, the $200 million picture, starring John Cuscak and Woody Harrelson, boasted a weaker debut than his last disaster opus The Day After Tomorrow which opened with $68.7 million in May 2004.
Down a mere 25.7% was Disney’s A Christmas Carol in 3D. The Jim Carrey lead, animated Holiday movie had a sophomore weekend take of $22.3 million. Still with a two week total of $63.2 million it will be interesting to see if Carol’s final gross will surpass it’s $200 million budget.
Holding onto the 3rd spot, though with a significant 51.2% drop was the George Clooney lead comedy The Men Who Stare at Goats with $6.2 million. Now do you see what I meant by 2012 and A Christmas Carol being the only movies in theatres?
Following close on the hoofs of Goats was Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire(yes, that is the official title). Now, I have no idea what Precious is about, nor do I have an inkling of a clue who Sapphire is, and honestly I don’t care, but the film, which was 12th last week jumped to 4th earning $6 million.
Michael Jackson’s This Is It was 5th with $5.1 million. The alien abduction thriller The Fourth Kind dropped a couple spots to 6th with $4.7 million. Holding firm was Couples Retreat with $4.25 million. The ensemble comedy from Universal has grossed $102 million. Haunting neck and neck with Couples was Paranormal Activity with $4.2 million. When final numbers are set the tables may turn for these two Fall hits.
The final two of ten were Law Abiding Citizen and The Box. Citizen, though on it’s way out, grossed $3.9 million and has had a modest theatrical run with $67.3 million. The Box, on the other hand, has tanked, grossing $3.1 million it’s 2nd weekend of release.
That’s all for the box office this week. As always, for all the minuscule movie details stop by Box Office Mojo. Take care you crazy kids.
While 2012 was another one of Emmerich’s typically dumb movies, I did think it was a lot of fun and after the week I had, I was really in the mood to see the world wiped out!