ROTTEN TOMATOES: 2006 Opens with a "Hostel" Weekend at the Box Office

2006 Opens with a "Hostel" Weekend at the Box Office

by Scott Weinberg | January 09, 2006

Lions Gate's "Hostel," which was produced for less than 5 million clams, had a pretty spectacular opening weekend at the box office, bringing in an estimated $20.1 million from about 2,200 theaters. "Hostel" drew similar numbers to last year's "White Noise," but had a tougher climb because A) it's rated R, and B) it's not as stupid.

Second and third place went to two multiplex juggernauts: Disney's "The Chronicles of Narnia" tucked an additional $15.4 million into its $247.5 million collection plate, while Universal's "King Kong" stuffed another $12.4 million into its $192.2 million banana patch.

The top five was rounded out by another pair of hang-arounders: Sony's "Fun with Dick and Jane" made about $12.2 million ($81.3 million total) and Fox's "Cheaper by the Dozen 2" raked in another $8.3 million ($66.4 million total).

Debuting (hilariously) in 13th and 19th place, respectively, were Fox's "Grandma's Boy" ($2.9 million from 2,000 theaters) and Romar's "BloodRayne" ($1.2 million from 985 theaters). Expect both to be on DVD in time for tax day.

Next Friday sees the release of three new titles: Disney's basketball drama "Glory Road," Paramount's comedy "Last Holiday," and Fox's romantic action drama "Tristan and Isolde."

For a closer look at the weekend numbers, please do stop on by the Rotten Tomatoes Box Office Page.

Related Items

Movie:	Last Holiday
	Hostel
	BloodRayne
	Grandma's Boy
	Cheaper By the Dozen 2
	Fun with Dick and Jane
	King Kong
	Tristan & Isolde
	The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
	Glory Road

(1-11 of 11 posts) | Reply

Koooomar writes:
on Jan 09 2006 07:12 AM

Wow, i think it's over for kong. which kind of sux, because i really liked the film and was hoping it would do better then chronicles of narnia. Oh well, but what i'm really happy about is Hostel. I saw it with a few freinds friday night and it was one of the best "hollywood" horror films i've seen in years. But of course, usually good movies get beaten by other more crap films(konog vs. NArnia), but was pleasently surprised when i read this article. Way to go Eli, now just dont mess up your cred by doing a remake!

(Reply to this)

dracus writes:
on Jan 09 2006 07:56 AM

I thought Hostel was predictable, but like Cabin Fever, Roth added his own spin on the gore factor. I hope his next movie is not another Cabin Fever or Hostel in another setting. Like Craven, Romero, and Carpenter did during their prime years, Roth has an opportunity now to take the horror genre to a new level, but it's going to take more than gore with a rehashed storyline. Interesting movie all the same though!

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zeromark16 writes:
on Jan 09 2006 12:12 PM

[b]Hostel[/b]
I saw Hostel on Friday as well, and thought it was good. Considering I'm not the horror-movie type, I don't have a lot to go on, but it was decently directed and acted well enough to make the whole theatre squirm. Not me though- rock solid.

I hope to see The New World on Friday, since it's going into wide release.

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lovelykeira writes:
on Jan 09 2006 12:20 PM

I don't think The New World goes wide until the 20th, I really do want to see it though. As for this friday I'm looking forward to Tristan & Isolde.

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neil.L.butler writes:
on Jan 09 2006 01:03 PM

In reply to this comment (#829684)
Dude, "King Kong" still has a way to go. It'll do well (at least it'll make its budget back domestically). "Narnia" has the Christian community behind it, and "Kong" has...uh...I'll get back to you on that one. But it'll do fine.

(Reply to this)

omelette writes:
on Jan 09 2006 02:25 PM

In reply to this comment (#829684)
[b]Hostel?[/b]
Something seems wrong here. The Chronicles of Narnia was an awesome movie, and King Kong was also great. Then why is Hostel #1? The point of scary movies is to be suspenseful and unpredictable. Hostel just looks bloody, disgusting, and pointless. Why did it get 20 million plus?

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IMAmoose24 writes:
on Jan 09 2006 03:09 PM

The Reason why Hostel made 20 mil plus was because when horror movies are done right, they are quite enjoyable. Yet White Noise was terrible, it still took the dough in. Im not a big fan of the horror genre, but when they're good, they're good. Hostel was very good in my point of view and im glad it took first over the weekend. Kong and Narnia where also great movies, but im glad when little, but still enjoyable films make it into the 1st through 3rd spots in they're first week.

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Bane Of Anubis writes:
on Jan 09 2006 06:32 PM

[b]Harold and Kumar go to Fright Castle[/b]
Hostel was definitely enjoyable, though I wouldn't rate it a first rate horror... Kind of softcore porn the 1st half and then an intense bloodbath the 2nd. Unlike Kong, though, I'm sure Hostel's already made more than its budget.

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South_park300 writes:
on Jan 09 2006 06:57 PM

yeah, i read that Hostel has made 4 times its budget. and yeah, the first half was porn, but the second half more than made up for it. not the best movie ever, and you cannot compare it to trash like White Noise.
Kong will be fine. Sure, it wasnt the biggest movie of all time like some predicted. But when people predict such huge successes, do they ever live up to those high hopes? Rarely, but the movie is still a success. It has almost made up it's budget in the US alone, and already has made it up worldwide. It was still one of the best flicks of last year, if not THE best flick of 2005. I bet it will be overlooked come Oscar time (as far as best pic goes, but I hope I am wrong).

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Bane Of Anubis writes:
on Jan 10 2006 10:57 AM

In reply to this comment (#829692)
I think Kong will get an Oscar nom just b/c they don't have any other epics but I don't think it has a chance to win (unfortunately).

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cowsfan writes:
on Jan 17 2006 12:34 AM

In reply to this comment (#829689)
QUOTE Something seems wrong here. The Chronicles of Narnia was an awesome movie, and King Kong was also great. Then why is Hostel #1? The point of scary movies is to be suspenseful and unpredictable. Hostel just looks bloody, disgusting, and pointless. Why did it get 20 million plus? END QUOTE

I believe there are two factors here. First off was great marketing by Lion's Gate. I mean seriously, they made it out like it was gonna be the most intense and gory horror film EVER. Second of all, it had Tarantino's name all over it. He's got a huge salivating fanbase, me included, and like it or not his name guarantees box office numbers. Hope this helped.

Cheers,
Kevin

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