Another year, another Pixar triumph. And as badly as I feel for Drag Me to Hell, I'm still giddy at Up's success. I can't help it. Something about their movies brings out my inner chubby Asian. The weekend projections are right this way...
1. Up
Gross: $68,200,000 (new)
Screens: 3,766 (PSA: $18,109)
Weeks: 1
With an opening weekend that surpassed even WALL·E's, Pixar's latest opus met and exceeded Disney's expectations, popping like a colorful, helium-filled balloon concerns that a film about a superannuated sourpuss might not appeal to young children. (Congratulations, us! That was officially the millionth balloon metaphor to appear in a story about Up. Time to drop the colorful, non-helium-filled balloons!) Does this guarantee a sequel? I certainly hope so, as I'd love nothing more than to see grumpy Carl Fredricksen and Russell the Maybe-Asian Cub Scout reunite to fill 40,000 rainbow sandbags for a fantastical, deep-sea adventure.
2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Gross: $25,500,000 (cume: $105,296,000)
Screens: 4,101 (PSA: $6,218)
Weeks: 2 (Change: -52.9%)
If your kids' imaginations were stimulated by the hit summer sequel, they can now actually "experience" it by spending a weekend at the Smithsonian Institution. There they'll be able to inspect many of the exhibits that come alive in the film up close, as they embark upon a two-day exploration with a mischievous, crap-flinging Capuchin monkey as their guide.
3. Drag Me to Hell
Gross: $16,628,000 (new)
Screens: 2,508 (PSA: $6,630 )
Weeks: 1
Universal is putting on a brave face and saying this number is in line with their projections, and that the film's glowing reviews should earn it a loyal following in the long haul. And that's not complete denial: Like all great cult classics, the designation will carry more weight if Raimi's funhouse treat earns it over time. But the number is still criminally low. Get thee to Drag, lest you want to encounter a wrathful Mrs. Ganush in the back seat of your car demanding to know why you chose Terminator over her, then barfing in your mouth.
4. Terminator Salvation
Gross: $16,140,000 (cume: $90,657,000)
Screens: 3,602 (PSA: $4,481)
Weeks: 2 (Change: -62.1%)
McG's joyless glimpse of a future Hollywood where Christian Bale is no longer taken seriously took a steep stumble this week. It's a testament to the power of poor word of mouth: Audiences told their friends it sucked, and therefore, they will not "be back." LOLZ.
5. Star Trek
Gross: $12,800,000 (cume: $209,500,000)
Screens: 3,507 (PSA: $3,650)
Weeks: 4
Coasting along comfortably past the $200 mil mark is Star Trek, nearly doubling the take of next-highest-grossing Winona Ryder vehicle, Mr. Deeds. Clearly, she resisted hopping into bed with a Vulcan for far too long.
[Figures courtesy of Box Office Mojo]