My sources now say Universal’s PG-13 Snow White And The Huntsman (3,773 theaters) will climb to $21M for today and $55+M for this domestic weekend. That result is better than expected for the 2D original fantasy actioner that cost $172M and didn’t have the benefit of a 3D premium or franchise recognition. Despite decent reviews, audiences gave the movie a so-so ‘B’ CinemaScore, which may affect word of mouth. Still, there’s a palpable sense of relief around Universal Pictures and even Hollywood now that the Charlize Theron-Kristen Stewart-Chris Hemsworth starrer directed by first-timer Rupert Sanders and produced by Joe Roth is showing promise at the domestic box office. Because it follows on the heels of May’s very disappointing domestic on Universal’s Battleship and April’s The Five Year Engagement – two films specifically criticized by parent company Comcast chief Brian Roberts today to Wall Street as big “misses” affecting earnings. …
It’s now safe to say that Snow White is breaking the post-Avengers early summer slump which has claimed five straight major studio releases so far because the Marvel mega-blockbuster was sucking all the air out of box office.
The only other new movie grosses were Arc Entertainment’s For Greater Glory (575 theaters) with $550k Friday for an estimated $1.5M weekend. …
1. Snow White And The Huntsman (Universal) NEW [3,773 Theaters]
Friday $21M, Weekend $55M
2. Men In Black 3 (Columbia/Sony) Week 2 [4,248 Theaters]
Friday $8.5M (-51%), Weekend $29M, Cume $112M
3. The Avengers (Marvels/Disney) Week 5 [3,670 Theaters]
Friday $6.0M, Weekend $19M, Cume $541.5M
4. What To Expect When You’re Expecting (Warner Bros) Week 3 [2,907 Theaters]
Friday $1.6M, Weekend $4.8M, Cume $31.1M
5. The Dictator (Paramount) Week 3 [2,649 Theaters]
Friday $1.5M, Weekend $5M, Cume $51.1M
Much more here with ongoing updates.