WB really didn't learn their lesson, did they? Earlier this summer, Warner Bros. released Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II to great critical acclaim. And, of course, a huge ass gross. The film has made over a billion dollars, and is the third highest grossing film of all time. Meanwhile, a little film called Winnie the Pooh grossed about 28 million dollars on a budget of 30. This established property that was to act as counter programming to the more hardcore Harry Potter wasn't a bomb, but it was certainly a disappointment.
But let's go back a little bit more. The previous highest grossing weekend ever belonged to The Dark Knight, which opened against, you guessed it, another kiddie pic. This time, it was Space Chimps. In the end, Space Chimps grossed $30 million on a $37 million budget. So you're probably thinking: what does all this have to do with this weekend's box office?
Well, simple. WB has, for the past two times, been the one DESTROYING the kiddie pic at the box office when paired with the massive franchise pic. Now, Warner Brothers is on the other side of the spectrum. And I just don't see why they didn't see it coming? Is this an example of WB being too confident, or too proud? Once The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn claimed this spot, Warner Brothers should of took Happy Feet Two and ran. But for whatever the case, WB stuck to their guns and kept Happy Feet Two in the same place. And they will pay for it dearly.
To be fair, Happy Feet Two isn't a complete flop. It still grossed 21 million over the weekend, enough for second place. But compared to the monster that was The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, that was chump change. And something tells me Happy Feet Two would have made a lot more money if it wasn't opening the same weekend as Twilight. But don't feel too bad for Happy Feet; even though it didn't even gross half of its predecessor, the Winter Movie Season is a long time. It could always bring in more cash over the holidays. Then again, with Arthur Christmas and The Muppets opening next weekend...who knows. Competition could be stiff.
But let's talk about the big winner this week: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (Oh my god, I hate that title). The film opened number one with $138.1 million. MOVING ON...
Immortals sure did crash, didn't it? Dropping about 62%, Immortals grossed an estimated $12.6 million for the weekend. Last weekend, it came in first with approximately 32 million. Still, even with the harsh drop, Immortals will probably be considered a minor hit. The budget is 75 million, and the film already has a cume over $50 million. Plus, it has already made $65 million overseas. Even though it will make its money back and then some, I'm sure it's not the 300 hit that Relativity was probably hoping for. That studio's highest grossing film EVER is Limitless...yup, Limitless. Nuff said.
The chart:
1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1—$138,122,261
2. Happy Feet Two—$21,237,068
3. Immortals—$12,351,959
4. Jack and Jill—$11,738,573
5. Puss In Boots—$10,804,311
6. Tower Heist—$7,105,045
7. J. Edgar—$5,928,120
8. A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas—$2,902,424
9. In Time—$1,710,692
10. The Descendants—$1,190,096
Well that does it for this week. Check back next week for a special Thanksgiving addition of Box Office Prognosis. Until then, have fun at the box office!
