Twilight Opens with $70.6 Million Weekend
Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart Rule Box Office Opening Weekend
Nov 24, 2008
On the weekend that was originally supposed to release the 6th Harry Potter film, audiences instead were treated to several new films geared towards the younger audiences. The notable premieres were the vampire oriented film Twilight, and the Disney animated film Bolt. Together they brought in almost $100 million total in U.S. box office revenues, but Twilight was the clear winner for the weekend, taking in $70,553,000 over the three day span. Making Twilight the #1 film is sure to get the sequels green-lit as well.
While being shown on 3419 screens around the country, the Sony Entertainment release Twilight, was not only a smash success as a film, but marks the highest opening weekend ever for a film with a female director. Director Catherine Hardwicke hadn't had that much experience behind the camera before this film, with her major credits consisting of Thirteen and Lords of Dogtown, but Twilight is certainly going to put her on the map in Hollywood circles. It should also put Twilight 2 rumors all over the internet.
The Rest of the November 21-23 Box Office Results
The weekend of films wasn't just limited to the success of Twilight, but the combination of two large films opening, and several picking up additional business over the weekend led to a combined box office draw of just over $159 million. That is the highest total in 2008 since the July 25-27 weekend that was led by The Dark Knight. It is also a major increase from the just over $137 million brought in the weekend of November 14-16.
After Twilight in the box office draw was the second week of Quantum of Solace, which drew an additional $27.4 million to its totals. That brings the total for the latest James Bond film past the $100 million mark in its two weeks ($109.5). Right behind Bond in the third place spot was Bolt, which made $27 million in its premiere weekend. It was a good showing, and will probably increase that draw with the Holiday weekends upcoming. The other film bringing in double digit figures was Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, which made another $16 million in its third week.
The top four films in the box office brought in a total of about $141 million just between them.
The Full Box Office Report for the November 21-23 Weekend
(Place - Film - Weekend - Totals)
1. Twilight -- $70,553,000
2. Quantum of Solace -- $27,4000,000 ($109,483,000)
3. Bolt -- $27,000,000
4. Madagascar 2 -- $16,000,000 ($137,447,000)
5. Role Models -- $7,229,000 ($48,037,000)
6. Chaneling -- $2,643,000 ($31,613,000)
7. High School Musical 3 -- $2,006,000 ($86,821,000)
8. Zack and Miri -- $1,700,000 ($29,350,000)
9. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas -- $1,673,000 ($2,653,000)
10. The Secret Life of Bees -- $1,275,000 ($35,649,000)
Box Office Report Source: Box Office Mojo
 |
