Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Media Man Movie News, by Greg Tingle - 31st May 2011



Media Man crosses to the U.S for the latest on the business of movie show business.

The Hangover Part II has taken in another $30 million.

Kung Fu Panda 2 didn't recover from its average start on Thursday.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has eased off its its live attendance and takings.

Playing on approximately 6,700 screens at 3,615 locations, The Hangover Part II delivered the top-grossing Friday ever for a live-action comedy, more than doubling Sex and the City 2 on the same day last year, and it eased only 5% from its $31.6 million Thursday opening. That brought the comedy sequel's two-day tally to $61.6 million. We understand the first Hangover had grossed $31.8 million by its two-day (Friday-Saturday) point.

The Hangover Part II will rush past the $100 million on Sunday, its fourth day of release. The first movie took ten days to hit that mark, which was impressive in itself.

With an estimated $13.2 million on close to 7,500 screens at 3,925 locations, Kung Fu Panda 2 jumped 127% from its $5.8 million Thursday debut, but fell far short of its predecessor. The first Kung Fu Panda generated $20.3 million on its first day (a Friday), or more than the $19 million that Panda 2 has made in two days. The disparity was greater in terms of estimated attendance: in two days, Panda 2 has sold around three quarters of the tickets that the first movie did in one day.

King Fu Panda 2's run included 3D presentations at 2,707 locations, which accounted for around 45% of business. Given the scope of its 3D release, a 3D share in the 60 percent range would have been welcome. That's what Shrek Forever After had last May with fewer 3D venues. With a similar 3D release to Panda 2, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has also been posting 3D shares in the 40% range.

The fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie dived 69% to an estimated $10.9 million on around 9,000 screens at 4,164 locations, lifting its sum to $124.4 million in eight days. The Friday-to-Friday drop was within the range of the last two movies, At World's End and Dead Man's Chest, but the gross was lower. Those movies had captured $186.2 million and $214.6 million, respectively, by day eight. In terms of estimated attendance, On Stranger Tides was down even further on those two movies and trailed the first movie, The Curse of the Black Pearl, as well.

Bridesmaids was unfazed by The Hangover Part II and boasted the smallest Friday-to-Friday drop among nationwide releases (27%). With $4.6 million, the comedy's third Friday gross and dip were in the vicinity of Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Bridesmaids' total stands at $73.3 million in 15 days, and its estimated attendance was comparable to Virgin through the same point.

Thor rounded out the Top 5 with an estimated $2.4 million, down 45% for a $152.8 million sum in 22 days. Fast Five slotted 6th with an estimated $1.8 million and still leads 2011 with a $191.2 million tally in 29 days.

In limited release, Midnight in Paris expanded to 58 locations (up from 6 last weekend), and its business jumped to a solid estimated $476,000. Meanwhile, The Tree of Life also was strong snatching an estimated $115,000 at 4 locations, averaging about as much per location as Midnight in Paris did last Friday.

Stay tuned to Media Man for more on the world of show business.

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