It’s no surprise that Alice in Wonderland grossed over $9 million on Friday to give it a first place finish this weekend for the third time in a row. What has taken box office prognosticators by surprise is the strength of the kid flick Diary of a Wimpy Kid. From Twentieth Century Fox, the movie — based on the massive New York Times best-seller by Jeff Kinney — grossed an estimated $7 million Friday. The weekend take could end up north of $25 million. (Most predictors, including me, put the film in the mid-teen range for the weekend.) If the numbers hold, Wimpy will also take the honor of best-performing new release, out-grossing the star power of the Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler in the comedy-action film The Bounty Hunter and the R-rated sci-fi flick Repo Man.
Bounty Hunter earned an approximate $7.5 million on Friday, a higher number than Wimpy, but one that is not as likely to sustain itself throughout the weekend. It’s estimated to gross $22 million for the three-day period. Repo Men was in a distant fourth place compared to the other new releases. The Forest Whitaker-Jude Law film earned a paltry $2 million on Friday, for a weekend take that’s not expected to go higher than $6 million. Fifth place is going to be a bit of a race between last weekend’s two new releases. Both the R-rated gross-out comedy She’s Out of My League and the Matt Damon vehicle Green Zone are jockeying for the fifth slot; each earned a bit under $2 million on Friday. The two will both be fighting for $6 million this weekend, close on the heels of Repo Man. Check back tomorrow for the full report.
Why should it surprise that Wimpy will outperform Bounty Hunter? Such dreck! Jennifer Aniston needs to retire & Gerard Butler needs a new agent.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Butler needs help finding good roles and Aniston keeps making the same stale movie over and over again, so retirement would be a good place for her.
At least Jennifer Aniston showed her chops off once in the “Good Girl” (but like Kate Hudson, never let that one good role stand in her way from subsequently starring in dreck) and doesn’t radiate repulsiveness like her co-star Gerard Butler. Hollywood keeps shoving it down my throat that this guy is supposed to be “charming,” dammit, and I should be swooning, but I haven’t seen one film where he’s come off as anything other than sleazy and boorish; he’s best suited to playing a brute (“300″), and it’s discouraging that that’s what the suits think women want from their romantic leading men. And I’m tired of Gerard Butler acting like he’s a movie star. I don’t think I’d consider Aniston a movie star (television icon, though), so HIM?! Definitely not. It seems “movie stars” are being picked and considered such less by the public/popular consent nowadays and more by the studios.
you really need to see Butler in one of his earlier films, Dear Frankie. You’ll totally change your mind about him. Also, remember that Hugh Jackman got his start in a lot of similar roles. I think Butler just needs a new agent
LMAO. $22 million is still a solid opening weekend. And don’t hold you breath on Gerry firing his agent. They are partners in Gerry’s production company.
I guess it is, sure…unless the movie cost twice as much (at least) as “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”, with way more hype, plus a huge marketing budget on top of that.
“Bounty Hunter” could make $50-60 million, or around what the movie itself cost to make.
“Diary” will make at least $60 million, if not more (probably $10-20 million more) on a way smaller budget.
So for “Hunter”, Solid doesn’t cut it.
Really it shouldn’t because the whole family would go to Wimpy movie making more tickets? duuuu
I agree. The previews looked so over the top to me, it turned me off immediately.
I’m not surprised. The books were good and there is no other kids movie out there.
I saw and enjoyed Bounty Hunter, I’ld rather see Gerard Butler in something more befitting his talent but the movie was cute and I have to addimit thought “Bobby” was involved in a different way with the plot. Seemed to me with a full audience last evening everyone was enjoying the funny turn of events.
Didn’t surprise me at all. The books are hugely popular and the kids at my sons’ school have been talking about this movie for weeks!
It’s Repo Men not Repo Man (that was the 1984 film).
saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid… should be called Diary of a Suckfest… seeing Bounty Hunter Sunday… im sure it will be better
Well according to some of you, if Jen Aniston should retire then Matt Damon should go along with her. His movie was the worst dreck (is that a word) I’ve seen and will have made less money in two weeks then Jen’s will do in one. I saw BH and it was funny–I’m too old for Diary.
I saw and LOVED the Bounty Hunter! I will most likely go back again!
Skip “Bounty _____” and save your $10. Go see Alice in Wonderland” if you want to be fully entertained. Aniston should retire but she’s not that smart
of course wimpy will do well. the books are enormously popular and it’s for all ages
what an odd thing to say that Wimpy Kid is a surprise? It is a hugely popular best selling children’s series.
I think they were suprised by Wimpy kid because Alice still has a strong hold on a lot of families and thought it would steal most of the audience. But I guess never under estimated the power of serial book fans. Just ask any twilight fan.
I hear from my son that his friends were buying tickets to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and sneaking in to see Repo Man. The same thing happen when 300 came out kids were buying tickets to Wild Hogs and going to see 300 instead.
Naw… I work at at a theater and wimpy kids theaters are packed… repo man, not so much
Oh please, I’m sure your son did it too!
Aniston is a terrible actress. she is the same in every movie and tv show she does. no range to her .
“The Good Girl.”
But you have a point. However, I’d argue the same holds true for Butler, except his onscreen persona is 100x less likable.
What about “Friends with Money”? Sure, she was surrounded by an awesome cast, but she was good in it and it was different.
I saw BH. I like it. I also saw alice…..uuugh
Uuughhh to both of them. They both sucked. “Alice” was just a waste of time but at least it didn’t gross me out like “Bounty Hunter.”