Harry Potter predictably dominates; Bruno fades

[Kingdom]

Harry Potter Dominates World Box Office with $396.7M
Source: Box Office Mojo
July 20, 2009


The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend. Click here for the full box office estimates of the top 12 films and then check back on Monday for the final figures based on actual box office.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince dominated the worldwide box office its first five days, opening to an estimated $159.7 million in North American--the sixth-biggest domestic opening ever--and $237 million from 54 international markets, a new record. The worldwide take of $396.7 million after five days is also a record, surpassing the $381.7 million made by Spider-Man 3 in 2007 its first five days. The sixth installment of Warner Bros.' "Harry Potter" franchise cost about $235 million to make. Domestically it opened bigger than its predecessor Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which collected $139.7 million its first five days. "Half-Blood Prince" had the second-biggest start for a movie premiering on a Wednesday, trailing the $200 million five-day opening of last month's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The Dark Knight holds the five-day domestic record with $203.8 million. For the three-day weekend, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince earned $79.5 million in North America, averaging an impressive $18,376 from 4,325 theaters.

20th Century Fox's Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs remained in second place with an additional $17.7 million to bring its three-week total to $152 million. Internationally, the film has reached $429 million, ahead of the "Transformers" sequel with $398 million. The worldwide total stands at $581 million.

Paramount/DreamWorks' Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen also kept its spot from last week, adding $13.8 million in third place for a sum of $363.9 million, easily the top earner domestically this year so far. It has climbed to the 13th spot on the all-time domestic list. The Michael Bay sequel has almost crossed the $400 million mark internationally and sits at $398 million, good for a massive worldwide take of $761.9 million.

Universal's Brüno suffered a 72.7% fall in ticket sales its second weekend and dropped from first to fourth with $8.4 million. The Sacha Baron Cohen comedy has made $49.6 million domestically after 10 days. Overseas, the film earned $10.6 million this weekend to push its foreign total to $46 million and a worldwide tally of $95.6 million.

In its seventh weekend in theaters, Warner Bros.' The Hangover continued to impress, taking in another $8.3 million for a total of $235.9 million, the highest ever for an R-rated comedy, surpassing Beverly Hills Cop's $234.8 million. Internationally, the comedy has earned $84.2 million and has reached $320.1 million worldwide.

In limited release, Fox Searchlight's (500) Days of Summer collected a strong $837,588 from just 27 theaters for an average of $31,022 per theater.




How awesome is it that, The Hangover rakes in almost as much as Bruno on its second week? America, finally learning.

[NYgiantsfan5689]

I heard that Bruno was really not good. I heard it was really messed up, like beyond what people were wanting to see. I'm not surprised it sucked in its 2nd week after word of what it was like got around.

I'm also not surprised Harry Potter did so well. There was so much hype after they postponed its original date.

[ljshorty89]

I heard that Bruno was really not good. I heard it was really messed up, like beyond what people were wanting to see. I'm not surprised it sucked in its 2nd week after word of what it was like got around.

I'm also not surprised Harry Potter did so well. There was so much hype after they postponed its original date.

I heard much more negative things about Bruno than I did about Borat. I liked Borat. I'm afraid of going to Bruno, because it seems like it's kinda shock value that's worn off.

And Harry Potter....would have had that kind of hype either way...it's just an series that's somewhat iconic for this generation.....