Spider-Man 3 falls out of top 10.
By Michael White at Bloomberg.com.
The Steve Carell comedy “Evan Almighty’’ debuted as the top film at U.S. and Canadian theaters this weekend, taking in $32.1 million for Universal Pictures.
Among other new arrivals, the horror film “1408’’ was second with $20.2 million in ticket sales, box-office tracker Media By Numbers LLC said today in a statement. Viacom Inc.’s “A Mighty Heart’’ was 10th with $4 million.
With “Evan Almighty,’’ General Electric Co.’s Universal is seeking to duplicate the success of its predecessor, “Bruce Almighty.’’ That 2003 release, which starred Jim Carrey, opened with sales of $70 million and went on to take in $484.5 million worldwide.
In second place’s “1408,’’ John Cusack plays a jaded horror novelist who checks into a hotel room notorious for paranormal activity. The film, from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and Weinstein Co., is based on a short story by Stephen King.
“Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer,’’ from News Corp.’s Fox, fell to third from first place with $20.15 million. The film introduces the planet destroyer “Galactus,’’ who comes to earth with his “Silver Surfer’’ henchman. The superpower endowed “Fantastic Four,’’ played by Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis, must prevent earth’s demise.
Warner Bros.’ “Ocean’s Thirteen’’ dropped to fourth from second with $11.3 million in receipts. The film picks up the adventures of heist master Danny Ocean and his crew of thieves. The film stars George Clooney as Ocean while Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Don Cheadle, among others, reprise their roles from the first two films. Al Pacino joins the cast as the target of the gang’s latest caper.
“Knocked Up,’’ from Universal Pictures, made $10.6 million and fell to fifth from third. The R-rated comedy from Judd Apatow, creator of “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,’’ stars Katherine Heigl as a TV reporter who becomes pregnant after having a one night stand with an unemployed slacker played by Seth Rogen.
Rounding out the top 10 were Walt Disney Co.’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’’ in sixth place with $7.2 million; Sony Corp.’s “Surf’s Up’’ in seventh place with $6.7 million, Viacom’s “Shrek the Third’’ in eighth place with $5.8 million; and Warner Bros.’ “Nancy Drew’’ at No. 9 with $4.5 million.
Viacom’s “A Mighty Heart,’’ debuted at No. 10. The film stars Angelina Jolie as Mariane Pearl, the wife of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped and killed by Islamic extremists while researching a story in Pakistan.
Sales for the top 12 films fell 3.5 percent to $125.4 million from the year-ago period, Media By Numbers said. Year to date sales have gained 3.5 percent to $4.37 billion, while attendance is unchanged.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. “Evan Almighty,” $32.1 million.
2. “1408,” $20.175 million.
3. “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” $20.15 million.
4. “Ocean’s Thirteen,” $11.3 million.
5. “Knocked Up,” $10.6 million.
6. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” $7.2 million.
7. “Surf’s Up,” $6.7 million.
8. “Shrek the Third,” $5.8 million.
9. “Nancy Drew,” $4.5 million.
10. “A Mighty Heart,” $4 million.