There must be something in the water over at Dreamworks Animation. As happened with the studio's How to Train Your Dragon in the spring, Shrek Forever After appears like it has legs and knows how to use them. Who -- besides David Poland -- woulda thunk it?! The big green ogre managed to beat the Four Ogres of the Apocalypse -- better known as the gals from Sex and the City 2 -- over the weekend, meaning Jeffrey Katzenberg is probably having a green-colored cosmopolitan right about now. Mix one up yourself and get ready for some weekend receipts.
1. Shrek Forever After
Gross: $41,000,000 ($130,750,351)
Screens: 4,367 (PSA: $9,389)
Weeks: 2 (change: -42%)
Okay, there is bad news: Shrek Forever After is running $70 million behind where Shrek the Third was on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend three years ago, but that it only dipped 42 percent has to be considered a huge win. For reference, that's a better second weekend drop Shrek the Third, though not on par with either of the first two films. In that regard, Shrek Forever After is a disappointment despite lofty grosses. Ah, the peril of high expectations.
2. Sex and the City 2
Gross: $35,000,000 ($49,208,000)
Screens: 3,445 (PSA: $$10,160)
Weeks: 1
Maybe it isn't critic-proof after all? Nah, everyone knows that doesn't account for box office. In the end, Sex and the City 2 will wind up grossing in five-days what the original film grossed in three. Does that mean fans weren't as excited for the sequel or does that mean they knew they've have plenty of time over Memorial Day weekend to see it on their own terms. Probably the latter, but critics are sure hoping for the former.
3. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Gross: $29,000,000 (new)
Screens: 3,646 (PSA: $7,954)
Weeks: 1
Something about this opening just stinks and perhaps that has something to do with the fact that Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time could only open to $6 million more than Resident Evil: Extinction -- yes, the third film in the series -- despite showing on 1,000 more screens. Yikes. Maybe Jake Gyllenhaal should try begging gamers to see it again.
4. Iron Man 2
Gross: $14,500,000 ($273,076,910)
Screens: 3,804 (PSA: $3,812)
Weeks: 4 (change: -45%)
Iron Man 2 is still running about $20 million ahead of its predecessor -- and still dominating overseas -- but it still feels less successful than the first film, if only because the drops are greater. To wit: Over Memorial Day weekend in 2008, Iron Man dropped only 35 percent. That said, money is money and this thing is making a boatload.
5. Robin Hood
Gross: $9,500,000 ($82,219,865)
Screens: 3,373 (PSA: $2,916)
Weeks: 3 (change: -49%)
That Robin Hood will wind up making $100 million has to make Universal happy. That they spent $237 million on this film probably doesn't.