Meet In The Lobby

On the eve of the summer’s last giant movie release — Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix — let’s look at the box office and see which films have hit bingo… and which have come up short. (Numbers as of July 10, courtesy The Movie Times.)

THE THREE BIG 3s
No surprises here. 2007’s highest grossers are the summer’s first three mega movies:

Spider-Man 3: $334 million
Shrek the Third: $316 million
Pirates: At World’s End: $301 million

These films will probably end their runs in this order. Pirates, 11th on the weekend list, cleared $3M — but dropped nearly 40% from the previous week.

Shrek finished 13th, dropping fast. And Spider-Man 3 is just about dead, earning $300K on just 310 screens (after an incredible 10-week run).

It’s very unlikely that Captain Jack can catch the Ogre. And impossible for him to reach Super Spidey.

GEEK NOTE: This is the biggest three-part punch in a single year since 2004 (Shrek 2: $438 M; Spider-Man 2: $373M; The Passion of the Christ: $370M)

TRANSFORMERS OVERTAKES THEATERS: Get ready for this record-breaking giant to break into the Top 3 soon. After one week: $155 million.

(So… Could Spider-Man defend himself successfully if threatened by Megatron? Dorks ready?… Discuss!)

SURPRISES: Waitress: This small comedy has grossed over $17 million — in comparison, Georgia Rule has made $18 million. And Waitress is still in a few hundred theaters. (Sadly, some press for the film has come from director Adrienne Shelly’s horrible death).

Knocked Up: It’s a comedy without a blockbuster budget. It’s been out for six weeks and is still in the weekly Top 10. (Remember Mr. Brooks? That came out the same day and isn’t in the Top 20.) Is there anyone not loving and rooting for this movie?

DISAPPOINTMENTS: Evan Almighty: At this point, a $90 million gross would be nice. Would it have done better business with Jim Carrey? Steve Carell, we love you — but this probably wasn’t the best choice.

Hostel Part II: Director Eli Roth had it right: After week #2, he told fans to see this sequel because they soon wouldn’t have the chance. It was gone in four weeks, grossing just over $17 million. And no, horror thrillers aren’t dead. Just this one is.

QUESTION: Which of these movies have you seen? What have you enjoyed? What have you hated? TELL US

Other Posts of Interest

• Update: Top Ten Summer Movies at the Box Office
• Summer 2007 Box Office Results: Spider-Man 3 is #1
• “Pirates” Pillages, Sets Box-Office Record… (But Not the Big One)
• Summer 2007 Box Office Review: Aug. 1 Update
• Summer 2007 Box Office Update: August 8

July 10th, 2007
Categories: Action Movies, Independent Film, Horror Movies, Comedies, Lists, Box Office News . Author: Norm Schrager

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