Summer 2007 Box Office Update: August 8

QUESTION: What kind of box office success do you predict for this weekend’s Rush Hour 3? TELL US

Go to this week’s update

The Summer Box Office Top Ten has a new entry: The Simpsons Movie, after just two weeks. In terms of list mainstays, Transfomers will eclipse the $300 million mark next week, and will pass Pirates soon after (not sure the industry expected that one). And critical favorite Live Free or Die Hard will pass Silver Surfer next week.

SUMMER 2007 — BOX OFFICE TOP TEN
(title; total gross; weekend ranking)
1. Spider-Man 3: $336 million; #36 this weekend
2. Shrek the Third: $321M; #21
3. Pirates: At World’s End: $307M; #30
4. Transformers: $296M; #8
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: $261M; #5
6. Ratatouille: $188M; #11
7. Knocked Up: $146M; #19
8. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer: $130M; #24
9. Live Free or Die Hard: $130M; #13
10. The Simpsons Movie: $128M; #2

Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in Rush Hour 3RUSHING TO “RUSH HOUR”?
First The Simpsons Movie’s success was a big surprise. Then, The Bourne Ultimatum performed beyond expectations. I’m not sure Rush Hour 3 is going to follow suit. Jackie Chan may have his fans, but I’m questioning whether Chris Tucker has box-office relevance anymore. He hasn’t been on the big screen since, well, Rush Hour 2 in 2001.

DIE HARD WON’T DIE
Last weekend was reportedly the toughest of the summer. Films with solid week-to-week business — namely Live Free or Die Hard and Ratatouille — still had to lose screens to make room for a crowded multiplex. Yet, Live Free or Die Hard still outgrossed I Know Who Killed Me, and Ratatouille had a better per-screen average than first-weeker Hot Rod.

Henry G. Sanders in Killer of SheepINDIE MOVIE REPORT
It’s worth mentioning two smaller indie films that drew large crowds in limited run last weekend: 1) Charles Burnett’s Killer of Sheep (right), a 1977 drama considered an American classic. It’s now in a few theaters after being hung up in legal hassles for three decades. 2) No End In Sight, Charles Ferguson’s debut documentary about the U.S. initiation of and participation in the Iraq War.

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August 8th, 2007
Categories: Independent Film, Action Movies, Documentaries, Lists, Box Office News . Author: Norm Schrager

2 Comments

  1. Comment by Jim on August 14, 2007 8:51 am

    I predict strong results for Rush Hour 3, first, because it’s been a while since we’ve seen the duo in action, and second, because I was pleasantly surprised by Live Free or Die hard, as I think many people were. I’m guessing that movie will have proved that these ‘formulaic’ action flicks can still be pretty entertaining, even for jaded geezers like me.

  2. Comment by Norm S. on August 14, 2007 10:23 am

    - Jim -

    I too was pleasantly surprised by Live Free or Die Hard (You can see my 25 Words or Less review here: http://meetinthelobby.com/25-words-or-less-capsule-reviews-send-in-yours)

    I agree that Rush Hour is super formulaic — and when it comes around every few years, viewers feel happy and comfortable enjoying that formula. Let the Black and Asian jokes fly!

    Early results for Rush Hour 3: an opening weekend just under $50M. It ain’t Simpsons or Bourne money, but it’s strong… and very well scheduled by New Line.

    Thanks for visiting.

    -Norm S.

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