Clouseau Defeats Death to Claim the Weekend Box Office

Four brand-new flicks took most of the money home over this past weekend. First and second place were remarkably close, but early estimates indicate that Steve Martin and his remake of "The Pink Panther" came in first ($21.7 million from nearly 3,500 theaters), while the horror sequel "Final Destination 3" was right on his heels with $20.1 from 2,900 theaters.

Third and fourth place also went to a pair of newcomers: Universal's "Curious George" debuted with an unspectacular $15.3 million from 2,500 theaters, and the newest Harrison Ford thriller, "Firewall," delivered only $13.8 million from 2,800 theaters.

Rounding out the top five was last weekend's #1 hit, "When a Stranger Calls," which dropped more than 53% in its second frame. The flick snagged an extra $10 million, which puts its grand total at nearly $39 million.

Next weekend sees three new wide arrivals: Fox's spoof comedy "Date Movie," Disney's family adventure "Eight Below," and Sony's kidnapping thriller "Freedomland."

For a closer look at the weekend box office, you know where to go. (Right here.)

Comments

Aoiboy

Aoi Boy

Ok... my prediction for next week: # 1 in the box office goes to Date Movie with a rotten tomatometer. But the critically worst wide release will be "8 Below". What are your picks ?

Feb 13 - 03:53 AM

insanemansam5

Samuel Ewing

Um no you obviously haven't read any reviews for 8 below yet. That aside is this weekends boxoffice proof that the 2005 slump had nothing to do with film quality or big screen tvs and everything to do with marketing and consumer interest?

Feb 13 - 05:18 AM

mizzoucritic

Sean Ludwig

[b]Worst[/b]
The worst critical bomb will mos def be Date Movie (likely in the 10-15% range) and I see Eight Below actually topping the box office (albiet with unimpressive numbers). Never underestimate the power of cute animals.

Feb 13 - 08:44 AM

dudemovies

Mike Masselli

Date Movie should make at least $18million Freedomland will be the worst reviewd. Eight Below kind of looks liek Snow Dogs done right

Feb 13 - 09:46 AM

Aoiboy

Aoi Boy

Exactly... I saw the trailer to Eight Below and I thought "this is Snow Dogs turned into a drama and with a witty title", and then when I realised it starred Paul Walker I immediately associated it with a rotten film ! ^_^ I'm surprised at the positive reviews it is getting, though I don't think it will end up this week getting a "certified fresh" label. I still think that Date Movie will, regrettably, take # 1 in the box office.

Feb 13 - 11:33 PM

new12play

Nathan Wells

Curious George unspectacular? Little harsh...I actually think that's pretty commendable.

Feb 13 - 01:12 PM

synergyred

Nancy Elizabeth

I see date movie being top at the box office, but just barely over Eight Below cause those inspiration movies do so well. I don't see any of the three getting the greatest reviews.

Feb 13 - 03:28 PM

cowsfan

Kevin Levan

Yo, I pretty much thought that Pink Panther was gonna get the worst reviews. Firewall must really suck. There's no big hollywood movies I really want to see until March. V For Vendetta in March, right?

Feb 13 - 09:18 PM

The Senhman

Senh Duong

I thought $15.3M for "Curious George" was not bad too, especially for a cell animated feature.

Feb 13 - 10:14 PM

lovelykeira

Ken Schrock

I want to see Date Movie, and I think that it will take tops at the weekend boxoffice, but I also think that it will be the worst reviewed.

Feb 14 - 11:04 AM

William Wallace

Robert Cross

[b]Won't Even Be Close[/b]
Date Movie will probably blow all the others away. Freedomland will remain the worst reviewed (poor SamJay).

Feb 16 - 11:00 AM

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