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[Ratings are based on a five star maximum scale.] |
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* Figures represent Weekend's North American gross in millions as of this past weekend.
Weekend Box Office: November 22-24, 2002 -- final
Superspy James Bond toppled fellow Brit Harry Potter from the top spot this weekend as MGM's "Die Another Day," which stars Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry, grossed $47.1 million, a best for the 20-pic franchise and the second-best debut for the studio. Only "Hannibal," which bowed with $58 million, has made more for MGM on an opening weekend. The action/adventure played in 3,314 theatres, averaging $14,204 per house. The series has been revamped to appeal to a generation that flocked to rival "XXX" to very satisfactory results: 67 percent of audience members were 25 and older, but the highest exit-poll ratings came from those in the younger age brackets. Fifty-four percent of patrons were male.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros.' "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" fell 52 percent in its second weekend of release with $42.2 million.
Also debuting in wide release this weekend, New Line's "Friday After Next," starring Ice Cube, was third with $13.0 million, averaging $8,051 from 1,616 theatres. The bow was slightly behind "Next Friday's" opening weekend take of $14.5 million in 2000. In a smaller, to-be-platformed release pattern, Universal's "The Emperor's Club," starring Kevin Kline, debuted in seventh with $3.9 million, averaging $4,755 from 809 moviehouses. Eighty-one percent of the audience was over the age of 30, and 62 percent were female. Ninety percent of exit pollees rated it "excellent" or "very good."
Rounding out the top 10 were "The Santa Clause 2" ($10.2 million); Universal's "8 Mile" ($8.6 million); DreamWorks' "The Ring" ($7.6 million); IFC's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" ($3.7 million), which surpassed the $200 million mark on Tuesday; Screen Gems' "Half Past Dead" ($3.1 million); and Miramax's "Frida" ($2.4 million). Dropping off the list were "Jackass: The Movie," "I Spy" and "Sweet Home Alabama."
In limited release, Sony Classics' "Talk to Her," helmed by Pedro Almodovar, played to sold-out audiences in two New York theatres, grossing $104,396. Miramax's "The Quiet American" earned $101,663 from six houses. And UA's "Personal Velocity" collected $29.943 from a pair of New York venues.
Overall, weekend ticket sales were up one percent over the same timeframe a year ago, which was Thanksgiving weekend, with $154.5 million. Year-to-date, 2002 is 11 percent ahead of 2001 with $7.98 billion.
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