Did anyone see this coming? Honestly, I didn't think that Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) Four Christmases, starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, would be the number-one movie over the five-day Thanksgiving time period. According to preliminary data at Boxofficemojo, the holiday flick took in more than $46 million at domestic theaters for the Wednesday-through-Sunday frame. I've seen the ad campaign for Christmases, and I have no intention of taking in a screening of it. I guess it was the right product at the right time.
Summit Entertainment's Twilight came in second with $39 million. Considering how hyped up this one was, and how much of an ardent following it seems to possess, frankly, I'm surprised. Where were all the teens to push this to the top of the heap? They were certainly available to pack the theaters. And those who saw it during its debut weekend had ample opportunity to engage a repeat viewing or two. Still, at a reported budget of about $37 million, the project should be profitable for Summit Entertainment (I wish I knew how much was being spent on marketing, though). It's total take so far is approaching $120 million.
Bolt from Disney (NYSE: DIS) was third with $36 million. So far, its total gross stands at almost $67 million. I'm disappointed that the cartoon isn't closer to $100 million by now. I mean, this is the Disney brand we're talking about. Plus, Bolt could be considered a test of both John Lasseter's hit-making skill and of the value of the Pixar purchase (as I alluded to in a previous piece). I expected more from this one, and I'm sure Disney execs were counting on a higher gross by this point as well (no matter what they will say in public).
Sony's (NYSE: SNE) Quantum of Solace was fourth, and coming in fifth was the spectacle known as Australia from News Corp. (NYSE: NWS). I really don't know that much about this film, but I use the term spectacle because I think that's what the marketers want us to think Australia is, judging by the commercials. It only grossed approximately $20 million, and that was a terrible number for a five-day weekend. It just goes to show that big-name stars like Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman sometimes aren't worth their huge compensation packages. The film supposedly cost $130 million to make. Maybe it'll do bigger business in overseas markets. Actually, make that it better do bigger business in overseas markets.
Well, I thought the Thanksgiving box office was sort of weak. With the number-one film taking in less than $50 million over five days, I just can't get excited. Hopefully Hollywood execs have some truly spectacular pictures waiting in the wings for the remaining weeks of the calendar year.
Disclosure: I own Disney; positions can change at any time.
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