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TUESDAY AM: These are 4-day numbers for what was the biggest Presidents Weekend in Hollywood history -- $226 million and up 35% over last year... I don't know which is worse: that moviegoers flocked to horrific Friday The 13th 2009 from New Line/Warner Bros because it's Friday the 13th. Or that they also saw a machete-wielding psycho killer with a loved one on Valentines Day. It's turning into the best-ever R-rated 4-day opening -- amazing for a retread. Hollywood anticipated high $30sM for the 4-day holiday, but the film reach $43.7M from 3,105 theaters. On Friday, it opened to a huge $19.3 million, then expectedly fell 26% Saturday to $14.2M. With Sunday estimates, that's a $40.7M three-day weekend. Sensing there was more mayhem in the murder franchise, Michael Bay asked New Line to give his production company a chance to revive it. Then he brought Paramount into the mix to handle international. The pic did well because of young females and young males, with older males not far behind.
New Line/Warner Bros had the weekend's top two films. Holdover He's Just Not That Into You grabbed 2nd place with $5 million (-50%) Friday and $9.4M Saturday (+91% thanks to a Valentines Day bump) for what was a $19.6M three-day weekend and a $22.4M four-day holiday. And 20th Century Fox's thriller Taken was in 3rd place with $4.6M Friday and $9M Saturday (+95%) for a $19M three-day weekend and a $21.8M four-day holiday.
I'd been curious how Disney's Confessions Of A Shopaholic would fare in this lousy economic times. Would females see the film as wish fulfillment or just wishful thinking? What looked to be a sure-fire hit when it was conceived some time ago now looks like a so-so performer. For one thing, it's the 3rd female-skewed appeal movie released in the last 6 weeks, and it follows by just one week last weekend's strong No. 1 film, He's Just Not That Into You. But while that film had a marquee ensemble cast, Shopaholic stars relative unknown Isla Fisher but also director P.J. Hogan (from that hit, My Best Friend's Wedding). Given the subject matter, this pic was hard to predict. On Friday, it opened only 4th among the Top 10 with $4.4 million from 2,507 dates then fell to 5th on Saturday with $6.4M. It finished the three-day weekend with $15.1M and ended the four-day holiday with $17.8M.
Focus Features' animated Coraline continues to show the strength of 3-D by jumping into 5th place with $4M Friday and $6.6M Saturday for what was a $14.8M three-day weekend and an $18.8M four-day holiday. Sony's low-cost runaway hit, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, went over $100M Friday and is in 6th place with an $11M three-day weekend and a $13.7M four-day holiday.
Movie analysts weren't expecting much for The International from Columbia/Sony. They told me it was aptly named and would under-perform domestically because this Clive Owen thriller with banks as the bad guys had shown only weak interest among older males. So it wasn't a surprise that The International opened to only $2.6 million Friday and $4.4M Saturday from 2,364 venues and dropped to 7th place. It reached just $9.4M for the three-day weekend and $10.7M four-day holiday.
Here's the Top 10:
1. Friday the 13th (NL/WB) OPENER [3,105 Theaters] $40.7M Wkd, $43.7M 4-day Holiday
2. HJNTIY (NL/WB) Week 2 [3,175] $19.6M Wkd, $22.4M Hol, Cume $58M
3. Taken (Fox) Week 3 [3,109] $19M Wkd, $21.8M Hol, Cume $80.6MM
4. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Disney) OPENER [2,507] $15.1M Wkd, $17.8M Hol
5. Coraline 3-D (Focus) Week 2 [2,320] $14.8M Wkd, $18.8M Hol, Cume $39M
6. Paul Blart: Mall Cop (Sony) Week 5 [2,965] $11M Wkd, $13.7M Hol, Cume $112.5M
7. The International (Sony) OPENER [2,364] $9.4M Wkd, $10.7M Hol
8. The Pink Panther 2 (Sony) Week 2 [3,245] $8.6M Wkd, $10.8M Hol, Cume $24M
9. Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight) Week 14 [1,634] $7.3M Wkd, $8.8M Hol, Cume $88M
10. Push (Summit) Week 2 [2,313] $6.9M Wkd, $8M Hol, Cume $20.5M
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Booger eaters
Mouth breathers
Chronic masturbators
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the target demographic for the new “Friday the 13th” iteration.
I am not very surprised.
I think FRIDAY will do amazing business on Friday and then slow down the rest of the week, but still be very solid.
SHOPAHOLIC seemed liked it would do decent and it has.
why must you always talk bad about horror? the executives are smart to realize that icons like Michael, Freddy, and Jason will always draw big. and people like me will fork over $6 or $7 to see it upon opening.
it only makes creative and marketing sense to release a Friday the 13th movie on Friday the 13th. who cares if it happens to be Valentine’s Day weekend, V-Day is the 14th. maybe tomorrow all the couples that saw Jason tonight will see Shopaholic (really, why?) tomorrow.
I’m surprised “Shopaholic” is making that much. It looks awful.
I sat in on press previews of Friday the 13th and The International.
One of those movies was not good at all. Murders occurred in a predictable manner with lots of blood. Lead characters were used to deliver large amounts of exposition. One cliche was used TWICE, and the second time was so awful that the theater groaned. One moment drew unintended laughter. Except for the human slaughter, there was little else to keep your attention.
The other movie that I saw was Friday the 13th. Friday the 13th should not have been the better of the two, but for movies of its type, Friday the 13th wasn’t bad at all. Those who want more diversity in casting should note that Asian-Americans and African-Americans are now among the victim fodder viscerally slaughtered by Jason. Those consumed by prurient interest should note that Willa Ford water-skis topless, Julianna Guill has an extended explicit scene, and America Olivo has amazing breasts.
Olivo went to Julliard for this?
Hey PJ,
I’m a chronic masturbator and I’m definitely not watching Friday the 13th.
I feel like the Pink Panther should have opened this weekend instead — look at it — you’ve got 2 R rated movies and a film geared towards women and a 4 day holiday weekend. I’m just shocked that it’s doing so badly, the preview looked hilarious.
I saw Coraline in 3D == I seriously wanted to walk out, it was so boring and this is really not a movie for kids or for families — kidnapping, body mutalations, cannabalism.
Nikki, the original “Friday the 13th” series weren’t exactly amazing or well-done movies… the original was a ripoff of “Halloween.” They weren’t good movies but fun if you dig cheesy gore flicks — this movie is no different.
The remake is stronger in terms of budget, look and perhaps even a bit of plot — but this is a throwback to the 1980s style slasher pics in every sense of the word. Not to mention a lot of middle-aged folks who saw the original ’80s films were drawn to the remake. If that’s what draws people back in theaters other than those horrid “Saw”/torture porn genres Hollywood’s been fond of lately, then by all means bring back Jason. Either way, it’s a win-win for New Line/WB’s coffers — they get two #1 movies for two straight weeks with the unlikely duo of the Friday remake and “He’s Just Not That Into You.”
Saw Shopaholic early evening show. Couple of laughs but mostly blah, blah, blah. And the clothes sucked. Sorry, I usually don’t go for high fashion but I remember almost having an orgasm over that outfit in “Devil Loves Prada” with the tall, tall black boots.
Chanel Boots
But there was nothing in this film that I would ever consider wearing. What the hell was that big blue thing around Kristin Scott Thomas’ neck in the family home scene?? Yea, I remember it – it was so horrific it’s burned into my brain. Ouch – whiplash! Love the Brit though.
Saw it tonight and it’s bad. Plays okay with a sold-out crowd, but even then, the crowd wasn’t as into it as they should be. The writers of FREDDY VS. JASON dropped the ball here; this film should be a lot more entertaining than it is.
Marcus Nispel and Daniel Pearl working together again and I couldn’t get the TCM remake out of my head. It’s very similar in look and tone.
Beginning is good, fails from the title card. Does a lousy job of creating a viable community around the closed camp which I think is what’s truly missing from here.
Why Finke likes to bash horror films and their fans is beyond me. Repugnant or not, they’re here to stay and a lot of us horror fans are well-educated, well-adjusted and are getting laid on a nightly basis, thank you very much.
Now I know how the gays feel when some backwards-ass fundamentalist opens their yap.
If you liked the Bourne Identity movies you should see TAKEN – it is GREAT!! Like The Professional, Transporter, etc. Unexpected excitement.
Friday the 13th is aggressively bad. A total machete slash to the face of anyone who has nostalgic memories of the franchise’s early years. The water-heads in my showing seemed to love it, though, during the rare moments when they weren’t texting or conversing with each other in tween-speak to see what was actually happening onscreen.
Reader wrote: I’m surprised “Shopaholic” is making that much. It looks awful.
Saw a matinee at the Regent in Westwood with my wife. It was enjoyable light fare and likely to restore P.J. Hogan to the boxoffice status he had around the time of MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING.
I saw F13th. it’s a very good movie. it deserves to win. I hope it could open at 40$.
My expectations for F13 were raised after seeing My Bloody Valentine 3d two weeks ago (which surprisingly was entertaining, well-acted, and suspenseful). Friday had me bored to tears… Everything was predictable, from the Abercrombie cast (and you couldn’t wait for them to die) to the boring death scenes…
“Or that they eventually tire of these horror retread remakes.” Uhh, if that were true, this movie wouldn’t exist would it? I’m not a defender of this kind of film normally, but maybe they’re flocking to see it because “Shopaholic” looks dreadful, as does everything else playing (Coraline excluded). Not everything has to be Oscar bait or a chick flick, Nik.
My bloody valentine in 3D was surprisingly great and everyone who hasn’t seen it in 3D must do so.
Isn’t Friday’s success — great for the movie industry in general? So why trash at how much money it makes, especially in this recession filled times.
I think Pink Panther should have opened this weekend instead of last — it would have been up against 2 R rated pics.
Saw Coraline — I thought that was horrible and not a movie for kids — I really wanted to walk out, even if it was in 3D — anyone else feel the same way?
SAW FRIDAY THE 13th WITH SOLD OUT CROWD, people applauded after the opening titles which doesn’t come up until 20 mins, everyone was having FUN! THIS IS HONESTLY the first remake since THE HILLS HAVE EYES that really delivered! Everyone cheered and applauded at the end, Everyone I know wants to take their dates to see Friday the 13th for Valentines after dinner! IT’s the PERFECT date movie! HORROR IS HOT RIGHT NOW!!!
Good for everyone involved in Friday the 13th..Come on Nikki, it’s not like Mall COP egads!
Nikki, Nikki… why must you continually trash the horror genre on your page? If horror films aren’t your bag, then fine, but let’s not forget it’s been the horror genre that’s kept Hollywood going during down times.
Granted, this FRIDAY THE 13TH flick is terrible, but it’s movies like this that are keeping the industry afloat in a time when other industries are going bankrupt.
This is a business Nikki, you know that. And good business dictates studios make films people want to see. And right now, people are still going to see horror films in droves.
It’s always great fun to see Snooty middle-aged clueless movie critics skewered by a horror movies success.
Ain’t Schaudefreude ****ing great.
PJ,
As a fan of the Friday the 13th series, I’m deeply offended that you would suggest I’m a “booger eater”. I may be a chronic masterbater and mouth breather, but I have never eaten one of my boogers before.
What’s with all the hate on horror? Can anyone honestly say that Confessions of a Shopaholic or The International look better than Friday the 13th? Horror is one of the only genres still taking risks. If you’d rather see a lame, by-the-numbers chick flick or a watered down, boring thriller, be my guest. I’ll take Friday the 13th any day.
F13 is what it is and doesn’t disappoint. Was actually funny too – not some grim horrorfest. Perfect blend of laffs, killing and tits. It”ll make BIG bank…
‘Friday the 13th’ will nose dive after Friday…BIG TIME…and won’t even have the lasting staying power as ‘Sex in the City.’ I doubt the Saturday night date crowd celebrating Valentine’s Day really are itching to see that movie. ‘Shopoholic’ and ‘He’s Not That Into You’ will do well that day. But I could be wrong. Afterall, ‘Mall Cop’ is blockbuster status.
Didn’t it make sense to release ‘My Bloody Valentine’ this weekend and ‘Friday the 13th’ on March 13th? Oh, Hollywood logic where ‘The Reader’ is a better film then ‘The Dark Knight.’
And I wish ‘The International’ would have done better. I really liked the museum action scene, the cinematography, and the film’s global financial themes. Plus that dynamite ’slaves-to=debt’ monologue from the Italian politician.
None of the films really “compel” me to see them. So I wonder who these people are that are going? Bored? Teens? Excess cash? (Who’s got excess cash these days?)
Is it me or was it just three months or so ago there were articles in various publications tap dancing all over the supposed grave of horror films? How the genre had played itself out, how audiences were not interested in them anymore.
Then along comes UNBORN, MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D, UNDERWORLD 3 and FRIDAY. Even the least interesting horror title THE UNINVITED performed ok. It had a pretty good hold in it’s second weekend.
All of these films performed well and as was especially the case with FRIDAY, VALENTINE and UNBORN, they featured AWESOME advertising campaigns.
Now it’s time for some hacks to dash of stories about how horror is big again. Until a couple bad films come out that underperform and then they will triumphantly write about the “Death of horror” again. And so the cycle continues.
Seriously folks. Audiences like their genre films. They just want good ones. If there is a quality product backed by solid advertising, it will find it’s audience. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea. May not even be the best example of the genre. But if it delivers and the awareness is high, people will go.
@ Jake:
Coraline boring? Granted, it’s not a little kids’ movie, and it’s not promoted as such. I thought it was brilliant. Maybe you should stick with Space Chimps.
think you’re in the minority on coraline, jake. it’s the best thing i’ve seen in ages. but by all means keep fishing to find a fellow hater…..
None of the movies out right now look like they’re worth seeing in the theater. I wanted to see The International before it got such horrible reviews. But we’re in a recession: I didn’t go to the movies AT ALL in January. I estimate that’s the longest I’ve gone without being in a theater for about 3 years. I’m going broke and need reviews to tell me whether it’s worth cutting into my grocery budget to see a movie.
The reason I am writing, however, is the Transformers 2 trailer. I think it’s important for Michael Bay, Spielberg and Paramount/Dreamworks to know that there’s no way I am going to shell out $12 to see their trailer in a theater so I just watched it on youtube: it was a bad, cell phone recorded upload. This is my first exposure to their multi-million dollar movie. I can’t say from what I saw that I know what’s going on. Seems like a jumble of images and no story. Rushed script?
In these tough economic times, I find it an insult to the fans who have supported these movies that studios want to inflate the opening weekend gross of a movie by attaching a hot trailer and withholding it from the Internet. These sorts of tricks aren’t going to fly right now. This kind of stuff is a slap in the face to the folks who helped make your movies a hit.
SHOPAHOLIC looks idiotic in trailers and marketing, but it got a long, respectful takeout in the NYT Friday… setting it up as a thoughtful treatise on women, commercial culture, and the current shame of debt overload and compaing it to Moll Flanders. So, go figure.
I personally am pleased to see PINK PAN 2 drop off the scope so fast. The first (Martin / Reno) one was physically painful to sit though, and I presume John Cleese’s divorce costs force him into this dreck.
Paul Blart makes $100,000,000. I have no words.
@ mileshigh:
The “Friday” remake was put into production before the MBV was, and the 2/13/09 date was set before filming even started. Lionsgate put MBV into production to get it out before “Friday,” not to mention banking on other half of the Supernatural duo (Jensen Ackles) in the lead role.
Even if Warners/NL pushed the “Friday” remake to March 13, they’d be going against “Watchmen” in its second weekend, plus “The Last House on the Left” remake opening on the same weekend. That’s three R-rated pics in a row — the release date of the “Friday” remake was well-timed IMO.
Wow, that’s huge, although horror films tend have a huge drop off after opening day. Still, it’s huge. It opened a lot bigger than I expected.
$20M 4-day for Shopaholic is pretty optimistic since it only opened at $4.3M.
Rupert P, unless you’re a little girl,UNDERWORLD 3 is not a horror film.
Friday the 13th did absolutely great this weekend. I talked to all 3 theaters today and they were all sold out for Friday the 13th. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday, I think that this will not only cushion the drop for Friday the 13th, but it could also stay even or possibly increase a bit. If the latter happens, then we could be looking at a $50M+ 3-Day for Friday the 13th and a possible $58-60M 4-Day! I think that the film has a great shot at $100M+. but if it does pass it, it will probably just barely pass that mark. But Taken has done absolutely incredible. Who would’ve thought that this film would open to $24M (on the Super Bowl weekend, mind you), drop a mere 16% on its 2nd weekend, gross $20M on its 2nd and 3rd weekend gross well over $100M+ and have more than a 4x multiplier in the winter? And Paul Blart: Mall Cop has also done very well. You would’ve been laughed at if someone if you said that this would gross $125M and open to $32M in January of all months. 2009 has been a very exciting and surprising year. The President’s Day could reach $200M! If Friday the 13th can open with $50M+ in February, then I can only imagine what Watchmen, Fast and Furious, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek, Terminator Salvation, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra will open to. And I can only awe at what Summer of 2009 will be like since January and February of this year are this big.
i love that we live in a world where Paul Blart, Slumdog, Taken, and Friday the 13th can ALL make over $100,00,000 at the box office. Is this a great country or what?!?
Clive Owen needs to fire his agent. He’s a good actor but I’m surprised he continued to get work considering he’s never had a hit.
If he were a woman, he would have been toast long ago.
Just back from THE INTERNATIONAL, which was surprisingly enjoyable. Deecently made, if not top-drawer. Worth a look…maybe.
Can’t say the same about SHOPAHOLIC, which was mostly annoying. Jerry Bruckheimer and Chick Flicks do not go together. Isla Fisher is a cutie, but did she have a boob job? She wasn’t that top-heavy (as the NY Times’ Manohla Dargis put it) in WEDDING CRASHERS. And she didn’t seem pregnant. Inquiring minds want to know…
When the original Friday the 13th came out twenty nine years ago I didn’t go see it nor the series. I saw the revamped version. Did u know that Micheal Bey is going to revamp Nightmare of Elm Street with Billy Bob Thortan?
I’m surprised that this site can’t comprehend how a horror film did so well on Valentine’s Day. Every teenager knows that horror movies are a great excuse to play “clutch and grab”.
u are so funny guys. the same happened 30 years ago, f13 was destroyed by critics but became what it’s now, a classic. now the new friday is getting the same path. the movie is great i saw people scared and get some fun. 19$friday+14$saturday+11$sunday+6$monday 50$ its first week-end and it costed only 16$. wow this what i call a businness.
rise up Jason and live again!
Coraline may be all it’s said to be (I haven’t seen it yet) but I suspect there may be another reason for its “success”: it has absolutely no competition. Looking at the top 10 list, I see a couple of chick flicks, a couple of adult comedies, a couple of adult action movies, some adult dramas, and a slasher pic.
On a holiday weekend with families flocking to multiplexes, there is NOTHING ELSE to see but Coraline.
They waited too long to make Shopaholic. I found those books pretty fun (even if the main character, Becky, grated on my nerves at times), but that was then (what, 6 or 7 years ago?).
I would have seen in the movie in 2004 or even 2005, but I have no interest in seeing the movie at this point. And given the economy, I don’t see a lot of people finding it too amusing now. It’s too bad.
Although I’d still go see “Can You Keep A Secret?” if that made it to the big screen
@ Revenge of the Fallen:
You conveniently left out “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” — that’s destined to become one of summer’s biggest hits because of the delay to July and the timing (pushed to the same weekend TDK was the year before). “Wolverine” and TF-2 are the only serious competition for that flick.
And I can’t imagine how this summer will be if mid-winter to early-spring 2009 maintains the upswing in theater admissions.
I always liked horror, but only intelligent horror. I’ve never understood the appeal of slasher films. They sucked in the 80s and they suck today (with the occasional exception like HALLOWEEN). At least the Italian giallo films in the 70s (which slashers are based on) had a mystery plot thrown in.
I mean, I get it – people like sex and violence. But the films aren’t scary. At all. Never were. So I question the brains of people who are hardcore SAW and FRIDAY fans, and keep returning and spending $$$ to see the same dumb thing over and over and over.
Don’t you get bored?
You want a real horror film, watch CURE or something that actually has suspense. I don’t know, maybe I’m old fashioned.
If you just want to see people die, go on the internet and watch the real thing for free. Google “Russians vs. Chechens” watch some footage, THEN tell me you want to watch another slasher film or SAW.
Why no whining about people eating up generic retread Hollywood romantic comedy crap on Valentine’s Day? You bitch about F13 like you’re doing something original but have nothing negative to say about anything else. People enjoy that franchise and enjoy that killer. Nothing is going to change that. And newly-minted, 30-something parents of teens complaining about the Friday movies just like THEIR parents did is only going to help Jason at the box office and with its key demographic.
Point taken redmenace. The Underworld series is more action/fantasy with “horror elements.” Just like the Resident Evil series. I get that. However, how much you want to bet if the film made a total of 15 million dollars and the other films I listed underperformed you wouldn’t have seen articles grouping it in with other horror movies as part of “the death of horror.”
That was my point. Genre films that deliver when well marketed perform well.
is it weird that i had no idea that there was a movie called The International coming out this weekend? Clive Owen and Naomi Watts are good actors… was there no promotion for this film? Or are there just too many movies out right now?
Friday the 13th as a date movie for Valentine’s Day. I love it!
We caught The International last night and thought pretty good. Clive Owen was solid, as was the assassin (I can’t recall where I’ve seen him).
Re Friday 13th, keep in mind it’s Valentines Day weekend. I recall from my late teen days the tip to take your date to a scary flick (I think it was supposed to get the heart rate up and think it was because of you- never worked for me). I saw a lot of young dates in the Friday 13th line.
‘Friday the 13th’ remake totally sucked and I was one of the ticket buyers. Have to admit that I was sold on a great trailer — ah, swindled again!– and I also went with fellow industry friends who wanted a break from the dreary econo-zombies swarming L.A. lately. The movie fails due to a “Scream”-lite gaggle of winks, lots of bad implant jobs and a lost-sister subplot that doesn’t deliver. The original ‘Friday’ was, let’s remember, an indie film picked up by Paramount and a then-there-were-none plot that was perfect timing for the 80s generation that actually did have to go to camp, either on a field trip or to give the parents a break during summer. The sequel needs to be a lot better. Chalk up the weekend gross to people worn out by an economy gone wrong.
Very interesting that the studios continuously report the best BO ever, such as this President’s Day weekend, yet cry poor and layoff workers. I guess we’re supposed to looks the other way and forget that hard economic times are GREAT for moviegoing. The Depression brought on the rise of the Golden Era. People in tough times love going to movies. It’s cheaper than other forms of entertainment. It’s gonna be a great year…
Personally I love horror films too. When I was in college I didn’t really go for the original F13 until toward the end. Now I enjoyed Freddy VS Jason by the way. Here’s another pitch: Predator Vs Jason. Now that would be fun. Imagine the predator roaming Crystal Lake.
Still the I like the J-horror and asian horror films which tend to get copied here in the states. But I suggest sometime watch the original Ring and compare it to its Japanese original Ringu. My all time favorite one in my dvd collection is Kairo(Pulse). It beats out the flop version that Weinstien Company released three years ago.
Yesterday when I watch F13 I thought about how the hardcore fans would react to this remake. No jive.
f13th rocks, i expect to see it going down only 54% next week!
Nah Nahh Nah Nah Naaaahhhhhhhhh!
Horror fans rejoice! We won over bland, asinine romantic comedies this weekend!
I like to see Nikki with a full steam of head everytime a horror film makes it no. 1 at the box office.
The International is a good movie – with HORRIBLE marketing. The previews and ads were a complete turnoff to many people, from what I’ve heard. And why did they open it on this weekend? It’s like someone made a decision to throw the movie away. It may not appeal to the young crowd, but it is much better than the reviews it’s getting. The Guggenheim set piece is a classic.