Watchmen opens this weekend, in case you haven’t heard. Word of the comic-based film’s long-awaited debut did get out around Hollywood, apparently: The competition is completely steering clear. So, as the only big new release, Zack Snyder’s anticipated adaptation of Alan Moore’s geek bible certainly will be No. 1. But just how well will it do? Read on. Oh, and did I mention that it’s long-awaited and anticipated? Just making sure.
1. Watchmen — $75 million
I still vividly remember the shockwaves that rumbled through Tinseltown when Snyder’s last R-rated graphic-novel techy epic, 300, opened to a huge $70.9 mil on this weekend two years ago. (The ground shook so intensely that I felt tremors in Las Vegas, where I was that weekend.) That was huge. And this movie, with a similar pedigree, a similar fan base, a similar release pattern in more than 3,000 venues, including several expensive-ticket IMAX locations, should be pretty damn big, too. But will it be bigger than 300? Marginally, yes, I think. Watchmen could be hurt by its nearly three-hour running time, but it’s based on a monumental book about which excitement has been building for two decades. What’s more, it’s opening in a few hundred more theaters than 300 did, and ticket prices have gone up in the years since the Spahhhhrtahhhns stormed the box office. Keeping track of its returns will be fun, indeed.
2. Slumdog Millionaire — $10 million
The Oscar winner got a boost after its Best Picture win and has now grossed more than $200 mil worldwide.
3. Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail — $9 million
In less than two weeks, Tyler Perry’s latest movie has become his top domestic grosser to date, with nearly $70 mil in the bank.
4. Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience — $8 million
Eh, don’t feel so bad for the boys. They may not have made Miley-sized millions last weekend, but their big-screen extravaganza averaged almost $10,000 per theater — and it should hang on strong this time around.
5. Taken — $7 million
With little direct boy-baiting competition (except, maybe, Friday the 13th, which was only viable for one day, really), Liam Neeson’s action flick has cruised to a $110 mil take at the box office during the past month. Which is to say: Watchmen’s debut could finally hurt a bit.
More Box Office News:
‘Madea’ tops ‘Jonas Brothers’ for a second box office win
‘Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail’ wins big at the box office
‘Friday the 13th’ slashes records
EW.com’s Box Office Chart
‘He’s Just Not That Into You’ gets lots of love
Comments (1-15) of 25 Add your comment
Cant wait to see watchmen!… for free of course, my lil bro works at the movies
I guess EW doesn’t mind that it seems to be doing free advertising for all these dating sites. They’re distracting.
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I’m pretty fascinated by the expanding, evolving world of superheroes, and was interested to see, among a bunch of stuff I already know about, some antecedents that I DIDN’T know about in this post on superhero GNs and Fiction:
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Seems like there’s something for everyone. I definitely have to check out that Superfolks thing.
I think Watchmen may not pull in 75 million. I went to the theater when it opened to by my tickets for the midnight Thursday show and it was actually not sold out at all. I remember being there for 300’s opening and my wife and I got the last tickets. I hope it does well.
watchmen won’t make anywhere close to $75–maybe $58-62M.
Hello — Watchmen is rated R. I think it will do bofo business — probably around that $75m figure. But to me, that also says theaters are letting UNDERAGE teens in. Just stating a fact.
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agreed. Watchmen will make a load, but not as much as we’re expecting. I would say somewhere in the 50’s, 300 trailers seemed momentous and seemed to appeal to the crowds, as opposed to this which seems to only be trying to appeal to the fans of the comic book. Surely,there are alot of fans of the story, but not 75 mils. worth.
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I think everyone is way off and Watchmen is going to bomb. Yes, I know within certain comic book and literary circles, this is a huge deal. However, the vast majority of Americans have never even heard of Watchmen. With no big actors, no big Superman or Batman characters and average at best trailers, I think people are way over-estimating this move. It may be a big deal in Hollywood due to how long it took to get made and the drama of two decades worth of angst, but again, most of the nation doesn’t follow that stuff and will skip this movie for another screening of “Paul Blart.”
Hey Chris in Florida,
People said the same thing about Twilight and it did 69 Million its first weekend. Only this movie seems much better, with better special effects, violence, and a superhero storyline. Gonna makes tons of money.
Watchmen was bad. Bad, bad, bad. I hated every single minute of it. No doubt, it will totally make money with the mouth-breathing crowd. The film is about as worthless as the one-termer in the Oval Office.
I work with a very young group and they are all amped to see this. Think it will exceed expectations- only running time will hurt it potentially.
HAHA. “Impeach Obama”, your name, as well as your comment made me laugh. And I especially enjoyed how you tied in your name with the comment. I am beyond excited to see this movie, and I think I will wear my Obama t-shirt while I do. haha
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