Posted on 11/04/2006 8:57:52 AM PST by meg88
UPDATED Saturday AM: (Keep refreshing screen for latest #s) All the box office guru predictions for this weekend went wrong.
I'm told that Fox's Borat, though playing in just 837 theaters, shocked the experts and became the No. 1 movie in the U.S. Friday.
Funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen's spoof took in a staggering $8.9 million for what should be an opening weekend of as much as $25 million.
Based on the anecdotal evidence pouring in to me about long lines at the box office, sold-out screenings, and fans driving more than an hour to find a theater showing the pic, I believe Borat was standing room only inside those screenings.
(I think the moviegoers weren't just rolling in the aisles, they were sitting in the aisles, for the film to make this much money.)
I'm still waiting on a per screen average. By contrast, the movie all the experts thought was going to finish first came in 2nd: Disney's Santa Clause 3, starring Tim Allen and opening in 3,458 theaters.
But it earned $5.2 million Friday for what should be a $20 mil weekend debut.
Since date night these days means a horor flick for young adults, Lionsgate holdover Saw III playing in 3,167 theaters took in $5.1 mil Friday (down 64%) to be the No. 3 pic.
It'll probably see a $13 mil weekend added for a new cume of $67.6 mil.
Newcomer Paramount / Dreamworks' animated Flushed Away opened in just 4th place Friday. Playing in 3,707 theaters, it earned $4.6 mil -- but, after the expected Saturday kiddie bounce, it should finish the weekend as No. 3 with $17.5 mil.
(So no "down the drain" jokes necessary there.) MORE
The South Carolina frat boys had me on the floor.
When I see people acting like that around him, it makes me wonder how he keeps a straight face.
Well .. you're entitled to your opinion - but ridicule is not ever related to satire or sarcasm - they are all different entities. But you enjoy your show - I have better things to do.
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