Welcome to the doldrums of January, a cinematic graveyard where, traditionally, studios unceremoniously dump off their DOA films with little fanfare and even fewer expectations. But this year was going to be different; with marquee names like Vince Vaughn, Ron Howard, Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry, the box office could match the talent on display? So, was it? Ehhh...ish. While The Green Hornet managed to open on just barely the side of "okay," The Dilemma self-destructed at a weak number two. There's always January 2012 guys!
1. The Green Hornet
Gross: $34,000,000 (new)
Screens: 3,584 (PSA: $9,487)
Weeks: 1
Like I said, this is just barely an okay opening for this type of movie. A superhero movie starring such a popular actor with a young fanbase, one of the highest paid actresses in history, a beloved cult director and an Academy Award-winning villain should translate into a higher first weekend. I'll be interested to see how much this might drop next weekend.
2. The Dilemma
Gross: $17,419,000 (new)
Screens: 2,940 (PSA: $5,925 )
Weeks: 1
This would be a fine opening for a movie starring a couple of dudes from the CW. But for guys like Vince Vaughn, Kevin James and Ron Howard, whose movies typically make twice that in their first weekend, it's cause for concern. But thank God that audiences weren't deprived of the scathingly witty bon mot of which cars are gay and therefore bad.
3. True Grit
Gross: $11,200,000 ($126,412,000)
Screens: 3,459 (PSA: $3,238)
Weeks: 4 (change: -23.3%)
Despite no love from the guilds, True Grit is still on a steady march through America's heart. After making this kind of impact with Joe and Susie Audience, it would take a fit of contrarian pique to ignore it come Oscar time. I'm still pulling for you, Hailee!
4. The King's Speech
Gross: $9,070,000 ($44,595,000)
Screens: 1,543 (PSA: $5,878)
Weeks: 8 (change: +41.4%)
An excellent movie and an awesome performance by Colin Firth. But, c'mon, weren't you just a tad more interested in hearing more about Bertie's brother and his abdication of the throne for his lil' American flapper?
5. Black Swan
Gross: $8,125,000 ($72,993,000)
Screens: 2,328 PSA: $3,490)
Weeks: 7 (change: +0.1%)
Chatting with fearless leader S.T., we're both delighted that this movie is on track to make more than $100 million at the box office. That's a lot of people to watch a 16 mm movie about the artistic process of a ballerina! Though the lesbian sex scenes probably didn't hurt.
[Numbers via Box Office Mojo]