It’s another good start for the 2012 domestic box office, complete with bombshells. The weekend overall looks like $125M, up as much as +30% from last year. Leading the pack is Sony Pictures/Screen Gems’ ‘Underworld Awakening’, playing better than its previous installment, which is rare for franchises domestically. The Kate Beckinsale horror action pic scored an ‘A-’ CinemaScore from audiences and will win the weekend without breaking a sweat.
Hollywood studios were stunned by how well the 2nd place film did, given the controversy behind the all African American cast. George Lucas’ banner film Red Tails, began in matinees today. Right now the pic shines bright and could keep its amazing streak by flying towards $20M because of its ‘A’ CinemaScore from audiences.
Estimated Friday $9.8M, Estimated Weekend $23.4M
2. Red Tails (LucasFilm/Fox) NEW [2,512 Theaters]
Estimated Friday $6.2M, Estimated Weekend $17M
3. Contraband (Universal) Week 2 [2,870 Theaters]
Estimated Friday $3.7M, Estimated Weekend $12.5M, Estimated Cum $46.2M
4. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Warner Bros) Week 5 [2,630 Theaters]
Estimated Friday $3.2M, Estimated Weekend $9.5M, Estimated Cum $10M
5. Haywire (Relativity) NEW [2,439 Theaters]
Estimated Friday $3M, Estimated Weekend $8.6M
6. Beauty And The Beast 3D (Disney) Week 2 [2,625 Theaters]
Estimated Friday $2.1M (-61%), Estimated Weekend $8.5M, Estimated Cum $33.2M
7. Joyful Noise (Warner Bros) Week 2 [2,735 Theaters]
Estimated Friday $1.7M (-49%), Estimated Weekend $6M, Estimated Cum $21.8M
8. Mission: Impossible 4 (Paramount) Week 6 [2,519 Theaters]
Estimated Friday $1.6M, Estimated Weekend $5.5M, Estimated Cum $197.3M
9. Sherlock Holmes 2 (Warner Bros) Week 6 [2,485 Theaters]
Estimated Friday $1.2M, Estimated Weekend $4M, Estimated Cum $177.8M
10. The Iron Lady (The Weinstein Co) Week 4 [1,076 Theaters]
Estimated Friday $1M, Estimated Weekend $3.4M, Estimated Cume $12.4M
