Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
"Avatar" rules as US moviegoers set record
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
"Avatar" rules as US moviegoers set record
AFP - Monday, December 28
Send
IM Story
Print
Director James Cameron arrives at the premiere of "Avatar," at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood earlier this month. Box office ticket sales in North America hit a record high for the Christmas weekend, a ticket sales tracking company said Sunday, with innovative science-fiction adventure "Avatar" topping the pack of hit films.
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - – Box office ticket sales in North America hit a record high for the Christmas weekend, a ticket sales tracking company said Sunday, with innovative science-fiction adventure "Avatar" topping the pack of hit films.
Overall weekend takings reached 275 million dollars, the highest in the film industry's history, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations reported.
The effects-laden, 3-D epic "Avatar" -- director James Cameron's first film since the 1997 Oscar-winner "Titanic" -- raked in 75 million dollars from Friday to Sunday, according to preliminary estimates by Exhibitor Relations.
The film, which cost between 300 and 500 million dollars to produce, is also the most expensive movie ever made.
"Avatar" was followed by a slew of new releases, including Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes," starring Robert Downey and Jude Law, which earned 65.4 million dollars since its opening on Christmas Day. Together with "Avatar" they accounted for 53 percent of the weekend box office.
Opening in third place was the comedy "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" -- a movie the Washington Post said was a minor Christmas miracle because it "isn't entirely awful." The "Squeakquel" pulled in estimated takings of 50.2 million dollars.
"It's Complicated," a love triangle comedy starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, opened in fourth place with 22.1 million dollars in takings.
In fifth place with 11.6 million dollars was "Up in the Air," starring George Clooney in the acclaimed story of a corporate downsizer who questions his role in life. The movie has received rave reviews and is likely to be on the short list as the year's best films are chosen.
Sixth was "The Blind Side," a drama about a white couple who give an illiterate black teen a home and a new lease on life. The film scored 11.7 million dollars in its sixth week of release.
Disney's animated movie "The Princess and the Frog," the first featuring an African-American princess, dropped to seventh place with 8.6 million dollars. It opened on December 11.
Next was "Nine," starring Daniel Day-Lewis as a film director in mid-life crisis juggling a wife (Marion Cotillard), mistress (Penelope Cruz) and film star muse (Nicole Kidman). The film adaptation of a Broadway musical based on the Federico Fellini film "8 1/2" made 5.5 million dollars at its official US opening.
Ninth place went to "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" a romantic comedy in which Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker play an estranged couple who witness a mob hit and are placed in a witness protection program. It grossed 5.0 million dollars in its second week.
Rounding out the top ten with 4.4 million dollars was "Invictus," directed by Clint Eastwood and starring veteran actor Morgan Freeman, about how South African president Nelson Mandela united the country around the 1995 rugby World Cup.
Overall weekend box office takings in North America over the Christmas weekend reached an estimated 275 million dollars, topping the previous high-water mark of 260.3 million for the weekend of July 18, 2008, when the Batman movie "The Dark Knight," the musical "Mamma Mia!" and superhero comedy-drama "Hancock" topped the charts, Exhibitor Relations said.
At 10.3 billion dollars, box office takings for the year, so far, are also the highest on record. Expected to finish at 10.5 billion, 2009 will top 2008, which raked in 9.6 billion, the industry trackers said.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
"Avatar" rules as US moviegoers set record AFP - Monday, December 28
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Monday, December 28
"Avatar", Chipmunks lead worldwide box office Reuters - Monday, December 28
Perry to take 'Madea' play on the road in 2010 AP - Monday, December 28
English subtitles missing in Hong Kong's 'Avatar' AFP - Sunday, December 27
News Search
Top Stories
Hugh Grant says he dreams of literary career
Polanski 'overwhelmed' by messages of support
Dutch hero 'reacted on a bang' to subdue suspect
Swiss bank secrecy emerges from 2009 with holes
Half of stranded Air Comet passengers rescued
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Swiss bank secrecy emerges from 2009 with holes
Dutch hero 'reacted on a bang' to subdue suspect
Half of stranded Air Comet passengers rescued
Hugh Grant says he dreams of literary career
British royals celebrate Christmas
More Most Viewed »
Tiger's wife Elin seeking divorce: reports
British priest defends urging people to shoplift
Century-old butter found in Scott's Antarctic hut
Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism
Brazilian confesses to sticking needles into two-year-old
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Monday, 28 December 2009 Mousavi nephew among several killed in Iran clashes: reports
Hugh Grant says he dreams of literary career
Families of Americans held in Iran hire Iranian lawyer
|
Families of Americans held in Iran hire Iranian lawyer
Polanski 'overwhelmed' by messages of support
Mousavi nephew, others die in Iran protests
At least 5 killed in Iran protests
Hamas officials in Egypt to discuss prisoner exchange
|
Iraq army says nine bombs defused as Shiite rituals climax
US troop deaths in Afghanistan double 2008 toll
Increased security during Pope visit to Rome soup kitchen
|
Hamas officials in Egypt to discuss prisoner exchange
'Unclear' if Israel can reach swap deal with Hamas: PM
Obama orders review of US no-fly lists
Japan PM in India for economic, security talks
Suicide attack kills 5 at Pakistan Shiite mosque
Thailand readies for Hmong deportation: activists
Seniors worry about Medicare Advantage cuts
Airliner-attack investigation moving on 2 fronts
Second Philippine ferry tragedy kills 6, 20 missing
Napolitano: No indication of larger terror plot
Blast outside Shi'ite prayer hall kills 2 in Pakistan
Homeland security head: The security system worked
Watchdog: Thais' Hmong expulsion could be violent
Thousands mourn Pakistan's Bhutto, two years on
Condemned British man's family flies to China
China PM blasts trade protectionism, pressure on yuan
South Korea wins landmark Gulf nuclear power deal
S.Korea wins $40-bln UAE nuclear power deal
Avatar leads box office for second weekend
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"Avatar" leads box office for second weekend
Perry to take 'Madea' play on the road in 2010
Thai army begins forced repatriation of Hmong
|
Avalanches kill seven in Italian Alps: emergency services
War on Al-Qaeda inflames Afghanistan, Pakistan
Iran pro-reform cleric condemns deaths on holy day
|
China targets political foes after dissident trial
|
Japan's finance minister in hospital for tests
|
Divisions await Egypt's new Muslim Brotherhood head
Attempted bombing spotlights al Qaeda growth in Yemen
|
China says ship crew rescued from Somali pirates
|
Israel: 16,200 Jewish immigrants arrived in 2009
Yemen says Houthi rebel leader may be dead
|
Hamas praises Gaza's 'steadfastness' on war anniversary
Hamas marks 1 year after war, but many stay home
Opposition leader tops Croat presidential vote
|
Makeshift bomb damages insurance building in Athens
|
Dark days at the center of Europe
|
China finds likely tomb of 3rd century general
Carter finds happiness in foreign missions
Vietnamese court convicts dissident of subversion
Afghan police: 2 police killed in west Afghanistan
Jimmy and Rosalynn: A love story endures
S.Korea to give 22 million dollars of aid to North
Man, 2 girls shot at SF waterfront restaurant
Vietnamese court sentences democracy activist to 5.5 years for subversion
US steps up anti-terror campaign in Yemen: report
Mine explosions kill 12 in China, 11 more trapped
Injured boat crew member leaves NJ hospital
Dissident goes on trial, could face death penalty
12 dead in China mine blasts: state media
Holiday travelers greeted by delays, tight security
N.Korea built plant for uranium enrichment: report
Thai army begins forced repatriation of Hmong
Security reviews under way after airliner attack
TSA: 2 passengers detained after flight to Phoenix
Sounds of firecrackers mark failure of terror plot
Seoul shares edge up; KEPCO jumps, exporters down
China author set to sue Google over web book scan
China likely to become top global exporter in 2009
Taiwan notebook maker Inventec plans China plant
Seoul shares inch up; KEPCO, Hyundai E&C rally
UAE deal, outlook boost South Korea nuclear power stocks
S.Korea bonds fall amid thin trade, weak interest
Seoul shares rise; KEPCO, Hyundai E&C jump
S.Korea consumer sentiment holds steady in Dec
"Avatar" rules as US moviegoers set record
Taiwan's Ma fights for traditional Chinese characters
Update: Unruly Passenger Pulled From Similar Amsterdam-Detroit Flight
Korean-American Activist Crosses Into North Korea
Salvation Army Major Killed On Christmas Eve
Update: New Details Emerge About Attempted Northwest Airlines Plane Bomber
Abducted Maryland Girl Found Dead, Sex Offender Arrested As Suspect
Video Shows Captured American Soldier In Afghanistan Denouncing U.S. Military
Update: Botched U.S. Airline "Bombing" Sparks International Probe
Bomb at Shi'ite procession in Pakistan kills 25
|
Yemen arrests 29 al Qaeda suspects after raids
|
Israel announces new Jewish homes in Jerusalem area
Ten Afghan civilians reported killed in airstrike
|
Israel announces new Jewish homes in Jerusalem area
|
Al Qaeda says kidnapped Italians in Africa: report
|
China urges Hong Kong to heed democracy challenge
|
Iraqi legal system puts new emphasis on forensics
|
Russia warns EU of oil cuts over Ukraine row
|
Amazon shares up after Kindle boosts e-book sales
|
Alfa Romeo wins Sydney to Hobart yacht race
Diplomat: Myanmar releases 4 Taiwanese fishermen
Swiss watchdog to examine Orange/Sunrise deal
|
The nation's weather
Is Rachel Yould a victim or schemer?
Gunmen ambush Philippine politicians' convoy
Man detained after causing disturbance on flight
Family visit Briton on eve of planned China execution
House Democrats pessimistic about public option
Pakistan suicide bombing death toll rises to 8
Families of 3 Americans held in Iran hire lawyer
125 pilot whales die on NZ beaches, 43 saved
China targets political foes after dissident trial
Relatives visit Briton on death row in China
Doctors' strike shuts down medical care in Nepal
Chinese shares close up 1.51%
'2012' sets box office record in China
Putin launches new Russia oil route to Asia
Taiwan notebook maker to build $800M China plant
Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ to issue China yuan bonds
Ailing JAL faces bankruptcy option: report
Japan's finance minister hospitalised: ministry
S.Korea eyes nuclear contract with Turkey
Polanski thanks backers as extradition wait goes on
|
Little room for daytime cable fights
Polanski thanks backers as extradition wait goes on
Celebrating New Year with the latest art of champagne
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights