Box Office - 'Avatar' Wins Biggest Weekend Ever

By a fair amount of money, this was the biggest weekend ever at the box office. The previous record was a Dark Knight-led $260 million and change stanza last year, but with Avatar and Sherlock Holmes taking center stage, the holiday weekend accounted for an estimated $285 million. Cha-ching. It was, however, James Cameron's Avatar that influenced the largest percentage of that, thanks to a second weekend that saw a drop of only 2%. Holiday weekend? Yes. But the film has been playing strong since its first Saturday (looking back on it, the opening day was less fantastic than any other result), and it's now over $210 million in the US, but more importantly, closing in on profitability worldwide. The sci-fi flick has made $467 million in ten days, meaning that whatever happens from this point is mostly gravy. Sherlock Holmes held on to second place, which might have been expected in most circles, but it made more money than was predicted, meaning that Avatar really did well in that respect, as if the raw number didn't already make that clear. Holmes is bound to get sequels, taking in $65 million in its first weekend, and the foreign territories should duplicate that amount this weekend, putting it in the same position as Avatar in terms of popping the cork on a success. Alvin and the Chipmunks finished in third place, thanks to a strong opening on Wednesday that dilluted some of the weekend impact. It's still in the $85 million range after five days. Only a few films didn't benefit from the biggest weekend of all time. The most notable failure is the musical Nine, which a couple of months ago at least looked like an Oscar contender. But then people saw the uneven film, and if you needed to see the impact of film critics, here it is: Very average reviews led to only $5 million in revenue over the Christmas weekend. Nine cost $80 million to make, adding to a historically bad stretch for the Weinstein Company. The Top Five:
1 - Avatar ($75 million)
2 - Sherlock Holmes ($65 million)
3 - Alvin and the Chipmunks ($50 million)
4 - It's Complicated ($22 million)
5 - Up in the Air ($12 million)

Comments

[visu]

Avatar has made $615.2M worldwide to make it 47th all-time worldwide - and its been only 10 days. My bet is it will cross $1B by the time its run ends.

[Get The Big Picture]

Thanks for the update; the most recent numbers I saw before writing this piece didn't have the most up-to-date worldwide grosses. A billion? Maybe. Fox sure knows how to place a product internationally. If it misses, it won't be by very much.

[Eric Cartman]

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet

[Honz Brix]

$1 Billion i think is the low end now. Possibly #3 or even #2 all time worldwide when its done. Allthough catching Return of the King would be very tough, but i think it could definately catch Dark Knight and Dead Man's Chest

[Vince]

Amazing!

I actually would've thought that "It's Complicated" and "Up in the Air" would've performed a bit better this weekend, but unless you're the Weinsteins, there is absolutely nothing to complain about this weekend.

I'm going to try to see "Sherlock" later as to be apart of this "historic" weekend at the box office.

Also, I'm cringing at the numbers that "The Princess and the Frog" has brought in. It's absolutely slacking and I'm pretty sure now that it won't cross $100 million in domestic box office. A sad end to a weak year for Disney.

[Krystal]

I think Avatar is turning into a cult or mania just like Ebert predicted so I wouldn't be surprised if it gets up to around $1.5B worldwide!!! :o)

[Chad]

I know this sounds like im reaching, but i think the dark knight being great also propelled people to having more of a open mind and willing to come in with a good mindset to fanboyish movies. The movie itself is great, other than for being a military man he's completely incapable of following through or listening to any orders i think this movie is great. I think word of mouth is really going to be great for this movie. Cause the story is very good, not just the effects. The whole dances with wolves angle was pretty great too, like i believe you mentioned colin

[SEAN]

GOOOO Avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!