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Saturday
09Aug2008

Box Office - 'Pineapple Express' Loses Steam

DateSaturday, August 9, 2008 at 9:57AM
Fourth verse same as the first, second, and third?

Though it appeared that Pineapple Express might end the run of The Dark Knight at the top of the U.S. box office after a record-breaking August Wednesday ($12 million), it now appears that the Batman Begins sequel will have enough in the tank to win its fourth straight weekend, although the Seth Rogen pot comedy will clearly will its five-day opening run.

Why did Pineapple Express open on Wednesday? The Olympics. That's right: The studio was afraid too many of the film's potential viewers would be glued to the opening ceremonies. That's the worst damn theory I've ever heard. In one corner: The Olympics, a televised sporting event that people don't care as much about as they used to. As David Letterman said in a monologue this week, it's "two weeks of competition to determine which country has the best pharmacist."

In the other corner: A stoner comedy aimed at men in their late teens and early 20s. The reason this movie may not beat The Dark Knight is that stupid decision. The film made over $7 million more than The Dark Knight on Wednesday, but in terms of weekend numbers, that doesn't count. So Pineapple Express loses its strongest audience while The Dark Knight continues to barrel along.

Fantasy Moguls estimates Friday night totals of $7.8 million for The Dark Knight and $7.65 for Pineapple Express. That, to me, is probably too close to call, although Steve Mason extrapolates a fourth-weekend total of $26.5 million for The Dark Knight, and just under $23 million for Pineapple Express. That would put the Express in the low-$40 million range for five days, and The Dark Knight at $441 million, probably less than a week away from becoming the second highest-grossing film of all time.

We'll have more numbers tomorrow morning.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment4 Comments |

Reader Comments (4)

Strangely, boxofficemojo has the exact opposite numbers for their estimates on Friday.

Saturday, August 9, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSatish Naidu

So does it even matter if the Dark Knight gets "beat" by another movie this weekend in terms of box office? Would that make the film that beats it "victorious"? Hell no. The Dark Knight has easily the biggest box office of the year, and is already close to being the second highest grossing film ever made. I'm just curious how, if another film were to get more money this weekend, it would be considered the "top" of the box office?

Saturday, August 9, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterDavid

Because over a certain period, it would have made the most money. Nobody's saying The Dark Knight wouldn't still be the top movie of the year, just that its run as the movie making the most money "now" is over.

Saturday, August 9, 2008 | Registered CommenterColin Boyd

hey where's your friend bubbleboy?, colin and bubbles would make a nice website soap ;)

Sunday, August 10, 2008 | Unregistered Commentero_0

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