Superhero movie “Watchmen” grossed $55.7 million in ticket sales and claimed the top spot at the North American box office, making helmer Zack Snyder’s comic book adaptation register the highest opening of 2009 so far.
However, the result did not manage to outshine the $70 million take of the director’s “300” a couple of years ago. Dan Fellman, head of distribution for “Watchmen” studio Warner Bros., explained it was unreasonable to compare the two productions, as they are “different movies.”
“This is a movie that runs two hours and 45 minutes. That really only leaves the exhibitor with one showing a night. If you have an 8 o’clock show, the next show is at midnight. So with essentially one show a night, I think this is outstanding,” Dan Fellman said, as quoted by The Associated Press.
Fanatic readers of the dissident comic book series conceived by writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons waited a long time for Zack Snyder’s version to hit the big screens. In addition, the eagerness became thorny and intricate last year when Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox confronted over who really owned rights to the $125 million movie. The two studios, nonetheless, managed to reach an agreement in January, thus keeping the March 6 scheduled debut in one piece.
Numerous “Watchmen” aficionados rushed to IMAX theatres in order to witness the exploits of Dr. Manhattan and the other superheroes on even bigger screens. Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Filmed Entertainment, explained the film sold out on all 124 IMAX screens it was being shown on throughout the weekend and that it was the second largest opening in the company’s history, behind only last year’s Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight.”
Since “Watchmen” had no other newly-released competition, it effortlessly surpassed Tyler Perry’s “Madea Goes to Jail,” which had occupied the top spot during the two previous weekends. The Lionsgate comedy brought in $8.8 million and claimed the second spot, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. Twentieth Century Fox’s “Taken,” starring Liam Neeson, was No. 3 with $7.5 million.
Overall, film audience continues to ascend, registering revenue of $1.9 billion, up 16 percent compared to the same period last year. Even taking into account 2009’s increased ticket prices, movie attendance is running 14 percent higher than in 2008.
Disney’s tour flick “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience” slipped from the second position to No. 9 at the box office, in spite of the fact that one had initially expected for the film to be a true hit among young moviegoers.
“Slumdog Millionaire,” the film that won 8 Oscars at last month’s Academy Awards ceremony,” came in fourth, with $6.9 million, according to Media By Numbers LLC. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” took in $4.1 million and was No. 5, while “He’s Just Not That Into You” came in sixth with $4 million.
Animated movie “Coraline” was No. 7 with $3.3 million, barely surpassing “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” which claimed the eighth spot with $3.1 million.
