Pixar and Disney’s “Wall-E” and Universal’s R-rated action flick “Wanted” took in big bucks over the weekend cranking the summer box office ahead of 2007’s earnings for the first time in months.
The family friendly “Wall-E” earned an estimated $62.5 million from 3,992 runs and the Angelina Jolie/James McAvoy shooter “Wanted” took in an estimated $51.1 million from 3,175. Both films made it into the record books, according to information in Variety.
“Wall-E” (directed by Andrew Stanton) managed to have the second best June opening of all time right behind “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” – which took in $94.7 million. The film was also the third highest opening of the nine Pixar films behind “The Incredibles” ($70.5 million) and “Finding Nemo” ($70.2 million).
“Wall-E” has received good reviews from critics and audiences thanks to its charming story of a romantic robot that goes to the ends of the universe for the love of an alien robot.
The film continues Pixar’s No. 1 opening streak - which Disney prexy of distribution Chuck Viane described in Variety as “one of the most envied track records in show business.”
“Wanted” brought in the best opening ever for an R-rated film released in June. The film also made it into the record books as the sixth best of all time for any R-rated film. Universal has reportedly already started work on a follow-up.
“Wanted” brought in the fans thanks to Jolie and the action-packed story of super-assassins. The film’s strong opening put it right behind “The Matrix Reloaded” ($91.7 million) and “300” ($70.9 million) as the third highest opening for an R-rated action film.
The film is set for stiff competition at the box office with the upcoming release of “Hancock” on Tuesday and Universal’s “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” on July 11.
Mike Myers’ new comedy “The Love Guru” continued to struggle at the box office and dropped 61% in its second week. The film earned an estimated $5.4 million during the weekend and has made $25.3 million in its first 10 days.
Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow’s “Get Smart” managed to hold its footing in its second week with a No. 3 spot on the weekend box office totals. The film dropped 48% during the weekend and took in an estimated $20 million from 3,915.
Despite competition from “Wall-E,” DreamWorks Animation and Paramount’s “Kung Fu Panda” continued to bring in the family audience with a No. 4 spot on the weekend totals. The film earned an estimated $11.7 million during the weekend.
Paramount’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” earned a No. 7 spot on the weekend totals and is expected to cross the $300 million domestic mark this week.
The M. Night Shyamalan R-rated thriller “The Happening” dropped 63% in its third week, and earned an estimated $3.8 million. The film was able to take the No. 8 spot on the weekend box office and has earned $59 million since its release.
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