By Patrick Luce Feb 2, 2009, 12:38 GMT
Twentieth Century Fox’s “Taken” with Liam Neeson snagged the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office with an estimated 24.6 million – which made it the second-highest opening film for a Super Bowl weekend.
Variety reports the movie’s debut also demonstrated that films expecting a male audience can be successful during the football weekend. The studios tend to bank on releasing female driven romantic comedies or horror films during the annual big game weekend.
In Variety, Fox senior VP of distribution Bert Livingston stated: “We had confidence in the movie. Everything worked. You had an effective campaign and people came. And there is no male-driven film for weeks to come.”
Sony’s comedy “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” dropped 35% in its third weekend, and managed to claim the No. 2 spot at the weekend box office. The Kevin James film earned an estimated $14 million during the weekend, and has earned an estimated $83.4 million since its release.
Paramount/DreamWorks’ new horror flick “The Uninvited” claimed the No. 3 spot with an estimated $10.5 million for its opening weekend.
DreanWorks also enjoyed a good weekend with its family hit “Hotel for Dogs.” The film earned an estimated $8.7 million and took the No. 4 spot at the weekend box office.
Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino” took the No. 5 spot at the weekend box office. The Warner Bros. film earned an estimated $8.6 million during the weekend and has earned an estimated $110.5 million since its release.
Fox Searchlight’s “Slumdog Millionaire” continues to benefit from Oscar buzz with an estimated $7.7 million for the No. 6 spot at the weekend box office. The film has earned $67.2 million since its release.
Sony’s “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” suffered in its second weekend with a 65% drop. The film managed to take the No. 7 spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $7.2 million. It has earned $32.8 million since it was released.
Lionsgate’s new romantic comedy “New In Town” with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. also struggled with an estimated $6.8 million and a No. 8 spot debut.
Lionsgate’s “My Bloody Valentine 3-D” claimed the No. 9 spot in its third weekend with an estimated $4.3 million. The horror flick dropped 57% and has earned an estimated $44.6 million since release.
Warner Bros./New Line’s new family adventure “Inkheart” had a rough second weekend at the box office. The film landed at the No. 10 spot with an estimated $3.7 million. It dropped 51% in its second weekend and has earned $12.8 million since release.
Your Talkback on this Story