Weekend of Dec. 9-11, 2011
| Rank | Movie | # of Weeks | Weekend Gross | % Change vs prev Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NEW YEAR’S EVE | Debut | $13.7MM | N/A |
| 2 | THE SITTER | Debut | $10.0MM | N/A |
| 3 | TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN PT 1 | 4 | $7.9MM | -52% |
| 4 | THE MUPPETS | 3 | $7.1MM | -32% |
| 5 | ARTHUR CHRISTMAS | 3 | $6.6MM | -11% |
Could it be possible that American audiences are beginning to take a stand on Hollywood’s schlock? According to EW, this past weekend was the worst of the year in terms of overall box office figures (a paltry $73MM) and it shows with two nationwide releases debuting this weekend with loud thumps. The star laden ensemble NEW YEAR’S EVE kerplunked earning only $13.7MM compared to its sister VALENTINE’S DAY ($56.3MM in debut weekend). Jonah Hill’s THE SITTER couldn’t bring in they young adults to his latest R rated comedy.
Are audiences still waiting for those blockbuster, Oscar worthy candidates? Were we too coddled last year with the incredible amount of movie quality? We can’t be surprised for the let down of movies, but at the same time, can’t Hollywood do any better? By this time last year, 9 of the 10 Best Movie Oscar nominees had been released, with 5 before November 1st. And of those 5 movies, 3 were designated locks for Oscars –TOY STORY 3 ($415MM final gross), INCEPTION ($293MM final gross), and THE SOCIAL NETWORK ($97MM final gross). Step it up, Hollywood. You’re not doing your job.
DEBUTING THIS WEEK
The box office should enjoy a nice little bump this weekend with some major heavily marketed movies debuting this weekend.
| Movie | Date | Starring |
|---|---|---|
| ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED | Fri 12/16 | not even going to look this up |
| MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL | Fri 12/16 | Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg |
| SHERLOCK HOLMES: GAME OF SHADOWS | Fri 12/16 | Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law |
You couldn’t pay me to watch either of the mainstream movies that opened nationally this weekend. I did, however, watch The Santa Claus 2 on DVD. THAT is quality entertainment.
Just awful options this past weekend. Though I think I’m the only person excited for Mission: Impossible. Tom Cruise be damned, but there is actual talent all over this movie. Oh and The Dark Knight Rises prologue in certain IMAX theaters