Sony & the Mayan calendar combine for monster disaster film opening as 2012 is headed for a $60M opening weekend!

The $200M blockbuster 2012 (Sony), yet another end of the world special effects disaster film from Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow) has opened with a dominating $25M Friday, and it is targeting a $60M 3-day. That would be better than the $50.2M start for Independence Day in the summer of 1996, but shy of 2004's The Day After Tomorrow ($68.7M). Despite a negative critical reaction, my sources tell me that the CGI blockbuster will likely surpass $150M domestic, and it could approach $500M worldwide.

Robert Zemeckis' re-working of A Christmas Carol (Disney) starring Jim Carrey had a decent hold (-32%) with $5.5M on its second Friday and a target of $20.4M by Monday. That would give the expensive motion capture animated film a 10-day cume of just under $50M.

The big story of the weekend is the spectacular expansion of Precious: Based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire (Lionsgate). Expanding to just 174 playdates, the sure-fire Oscar contender scored a staggering $1.75M on Friday, and it will likely reach $5.3M by the end of the weekend (that would mean a $30K+ PTA).

The only other wide release, Pirate Radio from Focus, opened very soft at it's 882 playdates managing a disappointing $1M opening day, which should translate to a $2.9M 3-day start. It'll have some trouble holding onto a significant number of screens for the title-heavy Thanksgiving period, which is less than 2 weeks away.

EXCLUSIVE STEVE MASON EARLY FRIDAY & 3-DY ESTIMATES
FOR WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 13-15

1. NEW - 2012 (Sony) - $25M Fri, $60M 3-day - $60M cume
2. A Christmas Carol (Disney) - $5.5M Fri - $20.4M 3-day - $61.3M cume
3. The Men Who Stare At Goats (Overture) - $2M Fri - $6.2M 3-day - $23.3M cume
4. The Fourth Kind (Universal) - $1.9M Fri - $5.6M 3-day - $21.4M cume
5. Precious: Based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire (Lionsgate) - $1.75M Fri - $5.3M 3-day - $8.1M cume
*Paranormal Activity (Paramount) - $1.5M Fri - $4.3M 3-day - $104.1M cume
*NEW - Pirate Radio (Focus) - $1M Fri - $2.9M 3-day - $2.9M cume

Comments

[twice]

Thanks for writing about the box office :*
I miss it ;)

[Shrykespeare]

Yeah, ditto, Steve. All of us in the Fantaverse still need your input!

[SEO Los Angeles]

I have seen the movie twice and it always made me tremble.

[Accounting Jobs]

Still can believe the movie's content about the great flood from Noah's time.

[Boracay Island Hotel]

Seen it in theaters when it was shown here. It made me a little scared.

[Short Sale Portland]

I honestly think this may be the end of the world haha but really...