Image Credit: Jasin BolandWho would have thought a 12-year-old descended from Hollywood royalty would be the summer box office savior? Such is the case as Jaden Smith and his starring role in The Karate Kid propelled the box office to 11 percent up from last year at this time, when everyone was talking The Hangover and Up. He also dominated over the macho A-Team, more than doubling the opening weekend gross of the ’80s television adaptation. In a summer that’s been primarily dominated by misfires, we’ll take the good news even if it means Mr. Jaden Smith is going to command quite a paycheck the next time he lands a starring role.
From director Harald Zwart, The Karate Kid grossed an estimated $56 million and earned an A grade from audiences, according to exit pollster CinemaScore. It seems not even the 2 hour and 20 minute run time thwarted moviegoers from the China-set underdog story. And with such a strong score from audiences, Karate Kid is now on track to become one of summer’s biggest hits. Don’t be surprised if this film with the $40 million budget grosses well over $200 million before the summer is over.
In contrast, The A-Team, earned $26 million for its opening frame. It’s not a terrible start, but it is well beneath expectations. Its solid B+ grade from audiences should help the film hold in throughout the upcoming weeks. That’s an outcome studio Twentieth Century Fox will be counting on. After a disappointment last weekend with Marmaduke, Fox needs both A-Team and the upcoming Knight & Day, starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, to be hits.
Shrek Forever After is still holding in well. The Dreamworks Animation film earned another $15.8 million, 38 percent less than what it made last weekend. That puts the film’s cume at $210 million, a number that, while solid, will still likely end up far beneath any of the other Shrek releases.
In fourth place was holdover Get Him to the Greek which performed almost exactly like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, the film where these lead characters originated. Earning another $10.1 million, the film dropped 43 percent for a total take of $36.5 million. The Ashton Kutcher-Katherine Heigl-starrer Killers also fell off less than 50 percent for a fifth place slot. The romantic actioner that’s been panned by critics grossed another $8 million, putting its total at $22.5 million.
Holdovers dominated the rest of the top ten with Prince of Persia grossing $6.5 million, a 53 percent drop that puts the film’s three-week gross at $72.3 million. Marmaduke took the seventh slot, falling 48 percent for its second session in theaters. The talking dog movie earned $6 million its second weekend in theaters for an anemic two-week gross of $22.2 million. Sex and the City 2 dropped 55 percent its third weekend, grossing another $5.5 million for a total cume of $84.7 million. It’s practically impossible for this sequel to match the original which earned $152 million two summers ago.
Iron Man 2 is on the verge of $300 million with an additional $4.5 million added to its coffers this weekend. And poor Splice rounded out the top ten with another $2.8 million for the well-reviewed but poorly received horror film. Losing more than 60 percent of its value its second weekend, the Warner Bros. release has only grossed $13 million after two weekends in release.
Why should Jaden Smith command a big paycheck for his next flick. People went to see the remake of the Karate Kid, not Jaden Smith. Do you think his next, non-Karate Kid movie will gross this much? Doubt it…
Because a) He can claim he was part of the reason for it’s success (whether this is true or not) b)his brand awareness has just shot sky high. Not saying he deserves (or needs) the money, but that’s how Hollywood works…
“lands a gig”? you mean, the next time his father casts him.
His father might have landed him the gig but the public went out to watch him and Jackie Chan in full force.
Remember, he is only 12 years old has now achieved more than other actors i.e. no.1 spot, whatever the method.
What hollywood actor “deserves” or “needs” the money? Don’t be so negative. There are very few actors (if any) that deserve the money they make.
Given that he is the son of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, he hardly needs the money (ie: he will never be a “starving artist”. I don’t see that as being a negative comment – just realistic. You, on the other hand come across as the negative one.
Michael Douglass, Jeff Bridges, Beau Bridges, Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda, Bridget Fonda, Sofia Coppola… the phenomenom of pampered, rich Hollywood brats making it big and famous is not new nor will it go away. It just is.
Once again, deserve has nothing to do with it. Nobody cares if the kid comes from a rich family. They just want to be entertained. Most hollywood actors are already rich from acting. In your logic, none of them deserve more money, only first time actors from poor families deserve it. You got issues, dude. Try coming up with another excuse to mask your hatred.
I really think you have totally misinterpreted my comments. If you think I am hating on a 12 year old boy, that was not the intent. I was actually trying to explain why he will make more money for his next flick even if he was not the main factor for this film’s success. “Mask your hatred” is a bit much, don’t you think?
Dusen, Jaden Smith IS the reason the movie is a success. He carried on his lithe, muscular little shoulders with his pathos-inducing scenes, his comic timing, his physically-demanding, truly impressive fight ( and dance) scenes, and more. That young man is special. I hope his parents continue to guide him and provide more wonderful vehicles for his artistic brilliance!
Can’t believe the brain-dead public threw away their money on this crap.
Did you even see the movie? I didn’t, but an A exit polling grade is nothing to laugh at.
Yeah…the thing exit polling doesn’t take into account is that it’s taken from people who WENT TO and WANTED to see the movie. All this means is that all the people that want to see this type of movie, who don’t mind terrible remakes and bad acting, got what their lowered expectations wanted.
sarc, are you an idiot? exit polling isn’t perfect, but its far from a knee-jerk reactionary “ill give it an A!!!” lovefest. exit polling ranges widely (hence, why a lot of films with exit poll grades of B or worse don’t do very well)
Yeah, you didn’t even watch the movie!
Dear LOL,
If you think this is such “crap”, why did you bother to both read the article and comment on it?
Sincerely,
r0flc0pter
r0flc0pter,
Perhaps LOL bothered because he was interested in seeing how the weekend box office played out, and is shocked that the Karate Kid did so well? I think his comment and rationale is valid.
Does this really need to be explained to you?
Not too many movies out there that are worth the price of admission. Calling people “braindead” is a bit excessive.
One of these crappy movies will be number one, why not this one? And why defend this particular negative comment?
I took my family to see this today and we had a great time. My 5 year old was cheering. What’s so wrong with that? I call that a pretty good day at the movies. And as far as being “braindead”, I am keeping in mind that this is coming from someone who signed as “LOL”.
@Jen yes, the same public which kept “According to Jim” on the air for how many years?
Uh, I saw it and I really liked it. And I am th type of person who is sick of Hollywood making remakes UNLESS THEY’RE DONE WELL. This one was. So was Dawn of the Dead. And quite a few other ones.
LOL, it is clear as Karo that you never even SAW the movie. If you had, you’d know that Jaden Smith’s version is a fantastic film. MUCH better than the original – from the acting to the fight scenes to the comic timing right down to the music! Give it up. Everyone who has seen this great film knows that you HAVEN’T!
Exactly! It was brand name recognition, not Will Smith’s annoying kid who brought in audiences.. I doubt this movie would have made the same ammount of money if it was name “Kung-fu kid”
I’m not sure why Will Smith’s kid is annoying to you, but he gave a stellar performance considering his age and action scenes in which he did without stunt artists. Ralph in the original didn’t display this much acting or actual king fu like Jaden
I saw the movie, not because it was a remake, but because my son wanted to see it. That said, I enjoyed it, and was impressed with Jaden Smith’s performance. His acting rang true (says this mother of a 12 yr old) and despite the comments on this blog, which seem to be more about dislike/envy of Jaden’s parents and their success, he did, what I believe, is a great job on this film. Let’s learn to celebrate the GOOD that young Hollywood is doing, than always being read to glorify their out of control behavior. This kid, if he can stay on the right path, is headed for future success. I, for one, am HAPPY for him and his family.
It’s called hate. It’s just a fact of life in this country that there are people who are pone to hate. I could take this kid or leave him, but I won’t make negative comments about him out of hatred. Oh well, it’s a free country I guess.
Or maybe its because there have been rumblings for years in Hollywood circles about Jaden Smith’s attitude, and he came off like the most pompous arrogant D-bag of all time on Letterman a few nights back. Dave was looking at him like he was an alien. Sometimes, people who make negative comments actually DO have a reason for feeling that way, its not just rolling out of bed one morning and deciding to hate whoever.
Stop making excuses for haters. Do you really believe that these comments were fueled by seeing the kid act like a jerk on a talk show? Heck, most people don’t base their opinions of actors by how the actor behaves on a talk show. I’d be surprised if he didn’t act like a pompous little brat. Both his parents are huge celebrities. Forget about his behavior, how’s his acting?
The use of this stupid term ‘haters’ is the first line of defense used by those who are compelled to censor and marginalize anyone who isn’t 100% in agreement with them.
Why can’t you be more tolerant of other opinions? The movie was number 1 at the box office. How much more validation do you need?
Everyone keeps talking about how annoying this kid is, I ask you what 12 year old kid isn’t annoying. Plus anyone ever think that people might be seeing this movie because of jackie Chan… I know thats why I saw it.
The “Truth,” you couldn’t be more wrong. The reason this film did so well is PRECISELY because of the brilliant Jaden Smith. He carries this movie on his lithe, muscular little shoulders – and because of that the movie drove the kind of positive word of mouth that made it #1 at the box office and a bona fide HIT. Jaden Smith is a treasure and I hope his parents continue to closely guide his career! Btw, there’s absolutely NOTHING “annoying” about that child. Jaden is a revelation. A truly gifted young actor!
IF HE WAS SOME LITTLE WHITE BOY FROM DISNEY CHANNEL NOTHING WOULD BE SAID!
I would usually agree with this, but I don’t think the movie would have made nearly as much money if the movie had a different title.
Yeah. We’d all be saying that it looked retarded and why are they remaking it and why does it have Kung Fu instead of Karate. I’m pretty sure the only other complaint is that the kid can’t act and the only reason he’s in this movie is that the scrawny little kid happens to be the producer’s son.
I agree. This kid has showed a natural talent for acting when he first came on the scene in “the Pursuit..”. He is his father’s son. I am proud of the roles his parents have chosen for him to play. My 3 daughters can’t stop talking about him after seeing him on Oprah a few days ago. Havent heard Justin Beiber’s name in at least 2 days in my house:)
I like Jaden Smith. Id see a movie cause of him. He is a good actor, he isn’t some little brat from the disney channel. He has talent.
You’re wasting your time writing comments against haters. It has nothing to do with his father helping him, his name, the Karate Kid brand, etc. These are all used by haters as an excuse to hate, plain and simple. Nobody’s saying that Martin Sheen or Donald Southerland, or even Lloyd Bridges were wrong to help their kids out in the biz.
yes clearly the reason people are commenting here is base on the race of Jaden.
Betty, sadly, I think you have a point. Jaden Smith is TOO good in this film for people to irrationally criticize him. It’s pretty clear that the silly would-be basher never even SAW the movie!
Why is everyone mad at the fact that Will Smith helped his son out? Isn’t that what parents are suppose to do, help their kids in hopes that they are better off than them? I WISH someone would come and give me a hand sometimes. Everything I have, I have on my own. HOwever, that does not mean that I am mad when someone else does good because their parents heped them out. How many people out there get help from their parents and are still in bad situations? Good for Jaden for taking the opportunity and doing well with it. Also, there is plenty of Jackie Chan fans out there who went to see the movie because of him!
AMEN!
I so heartly agree!
They are just mad because their parents don’t love them.
I agree! Thank you. If Jaden didn’t have talent and was just riding on his parents’ fame to get the role that would be one thing, but he worked really hard and does have talent. Thus, he earned it himself.
Nice try, Jada.
^5 Rosalie @ your comment. Well said, well said!
but he is King (or i should say Prince) of the box office at the moment…:)
Agree…
I admit that I had my doubts about mom and dad financing a movie for Jaden, but we now live in a do-it-yourself world, where you don’t have to wait for the Hollywood aristocracy to give you a chance. The Smiths gave their son the chance that maybe no Hollywood studio would have. The movie cost $40 million to make, and it made $56 million last weekend. That’s a damn good investment.
People didn’t come to see the movie because Will Smith’s kid was in it. They went to go see Jackie Chan in the Mr. Miyagi role.
Heather P, I beg to differ – and vehemently. I went to see the movie because of Jaden Smith’s comic timing in the trailer. Jaden’s brilliant acting, amazing physical skill, and even the music from the great James Horner (along WITH Jackie Chan’s gifts) make this movie worth seeing again and again!
BaldertheBeautiful, Jaden Smith’s movie is great because of Jaden Smith. His performance as the LEAD actor in this movie was so fantastic it drove justifiably positive word of mouth and people into the theaters to see it again and again. I like Jackie Chan,too, but this is Jaden Smith’s movie, and he does not disappoint. That young fellow is Oscar material!
Mac, Jaden Smith DESERVES a big paycheck for the next film, and anybody who actually SAW him in his Karate Kid role knows it. I never saw a child work so hard! And his little frame as the MUSCLES to prove it. Jaden exercised his brain as well as his brawn, too. He is a gifted young actor who should have OSCARS in his future!
I don’t see any way that The Karate Kid will cross $200 million.It will take a huge drop next weekend when everyone goes to see Toy Story 3.
Toy Story 3!!!!!
TOY STORY 3!!!! I can’t breathe & I’m supposed to be an adult
Toy…Story…3!!!!! I am sick with excitement!
If that Shrek junk can make 200 mil, then an actual good movie like Karate Kid should hit 300!
I really enjoyed the ‘Shrek’ movie, much more than I thought I would. Not as good as the first two, but still entertaining….
Except it’s not a good movie. High grosses or good opening weekend don’t always equal quality product.
Exactly what I was thinking! I’m really looking forward to it and I’m an adult-most of the time! LOL I wonder what kind of numbers Toy Story is going to pull in? I’m betting over double this.
Well I be darn. I still dont want to see the Karate Kid. The original is always the best and you cant forget Mr Miyaki….come on…Jackie Chan is no Pat Morita or the crane kick. This movie dont have nothing special about it but oh well who cares.
‘Meet more friends and singles on this free community : singlesPalace com’
“Mi-ya-GI”
Then stay home and troll through your singles site. Frankly, Jackie was much more convincing as a martial arts teacher than the beloved Pat Morita.
I liked Splice. Hopefully next weekend will be a record breaking one with Toy Story 3. Agree with Mac, some of my friends who saw The Karate Kid found Jaden to be annoying.
Yeah, Will Smith’s kid (won’t even bother to learn his name) was annoying as hell, Jackie Chan was bored, clearly cashing a big paycheck, and the movie was as generic as they come. Complete waste of time, this is the equivalent to 3 ninjas, except it made more money just because of the name “karate kid”
i loved the 3 ninjas. rocky loves emily forever. regardless, it’s somewhat lame that you’re being a jerk about a 12 yr old boy. nice.
Hey Ani, shut the hell up and go to the kitchen and make me a sandwich!
Why don’t you just shout “MOM – MAKE ME A SANDWICH!” – since you’re a pathetic 35 year old living in your parent’s basement.
@Jose: I liked Splice, too. V. entertaining…
I like how EW gives absolutely NO credit to Jackie Chan. Yes, EW, I do think Jackie Chan had something to do with the successfull opening boxoffice gross.
I agree! Chan was also great in this film and one of the reasons why I went to see this film
Agreed, Jackie Chan probably brought three times as many audience in than Will Smith’s kid. But I’m sure Will gave a nice big check to the E! PR department for more gushing articles about Jaden.
why such hate? It’s a decent movie about dealing with bullies. Which is running rampant in schools today. Would you have preferred a kid of a lighter shade
Kelly, don’t try to make this about race, you peasant.
Well in a summer with literally NO competition, it’s hard to call this movie the “champ.” Yes, it did win, but with the rest of the summer movies barely in the ring. Bummer, since I am not cheering for this remake.
I feel bad for SATC2 – it’s good! But I expected the critics and the public to turn on it this time out.
I liked it, too. Ignore the critics and go see it!
Smith’s kid is not box office draw but folks bringing their kids to see this movie.
The tepid performance of Get Him
To The Greek hopefully demonstrates that the public is tiring of stupid brain-dead teen-boy raunch comedies. Maybe Nick Stoller will finally retire to a boy-child rest home with his sex toys and Muppet puppets. And I agree with Ron about Jackie Chan – he’s the reason I’m going to go see Karate Kid, not Jaden. I’m happy for the kid, but Chan is the MAN and I’m really happy for HIS success.
BaldertheBeautiful, Jaden Smith’s movie is great because of Jaden Smith. I’m a fan of Jackie Chan, too, but HE would be the first to admit that his is a supporting role. The reason people went back to see this film again and gave it good word of mouth is because of JADEN’S performance – which makes up the bulk of the film from beginning to end. Period.
Jaden Smith was good in the persuit of happiness. exit polls give the movie an A. People are hating who havent even seen the movie? priceless.
That was expected. Really I don’t know why people thought that the A team was going to beat Karate kid. Average viewers watching A team come in 2.
Average viwers in a kid flick come in 3.
Do the math
I was a fan of the original. I saw the remake. It is amazing. Don’t fool yourself into thinking this is Hollywood nepotism at its best. The kid can act. The movie is good. Do yourself a favor and go see it.
I agree. Jaden gave a stellar performance. It was a great movie and all these people who are complaining obviously haven’t seen the film. It’s quite evident.
But, I’m confused about the nepotism thing. Isn’t this how Hollywood has worked since its inception. Nick Cage, Kristen Stewart and countless other actors have used their family clout to get into the business
jaden might not have all of his acting chops yet, but he has plenty of charm & charisma to carry him through. i loved the original when it originally came out in the 80′s, but i was not a huge macchio fan. i thought he was too clumsy and awkward to be anywhere near believable, and i really detested the ridiculous crane kick. i think jaden was more believable in some ways than daniel-san. i loved mr. miyagi of the original but i am such a fan of mr. jackie chan, and i thought this was one of his better performances. i went into the with a bad attitude…it REALLY bothered me that jaden sh** smith had top billing in the promo poster and not chan, but the movie itself turned by bad attitude around. all of the kids with whom i saw the movie also loved it, and the audience clapped at the end. all in all, worth checking it out…but do keep an open mind and check the negativity at the door.
Nice try, Will Smith.
JCM, you’re right. Jaden Smith’s movie is magnificent! I’ve already seen it several times and plan to see it again!
Lee, you are absolutely right. Most people who have actually seen both movies – the original AND the latest, realize and admit that Jaden Smith’s version is better – MUCH better! Thank you, Smith family, for giving us such a thrilling, visually sumptuous, well-acted film to watch this summer. I’ve been a voracious viewer of movies for decades – and I’ve seen Jaden Smith’s Karate Kid 5 times. And may see it yet again!
I haven’t seen the movie, but do they really train on the Great Wall? That sounds incredibly cliche.
It seems like a huge upset since everyone thought A Team would be No.1 this week. I had no idea interest was this high for the Karate Kid.
Oh, and the reason why Chan doesn’t get as much press as Smith is because it is Smith’s movie. Not Chan’s. Chan is in a supporting role. Don’t go expecting to see the usual Chan action. He is the teacher/mentor in this movie. He does a surprising turn as a sensitive individual who sees potential in a kid who is out of his element. GO SEE IT!!
Oh you mean how Johnny Depp was a supporting role in Alice in Wonderland? They must have all gone to that movie for that blond girl… or how Heath Ledger had a supporting role in The Dark Knight, but no one saw that movie for him right? Just because they are “supporting roles” doesn’t mean the movie doesn’t belong to them.
Jeremy, the movie DOES “belong” to Jaden Smith. Anyone who has actually SEEN the movie knows THAT. What Jaden did was amazing. He IS the “karate” kid! I’ve been a voracious viewer of movies for decades and I know a good one when I see one. Young Jaden Smith’s film is a GREAT one!