If Black Friday’s estimates are any gauge, this year’s Thanksgiving weekend is going to be a bit of a downer. Traditionally one of the biggest movie days of the year, 2011’s post-holiday Friday saw drops in both gross and attendance over a year ago. To give you one example, this year’s 3D-animated Arthur Christmas performed about as well on its first Friday as last year’s 2D musical Burlesque. Up at the top, Breaking Dawn Part 1 continued to shine with an estimated $16.9 million. That’s a decline of 75% from the film’s opening day, though the drop was expected given the front-heavy nature of The Twilight Saga series. Last year’s big ‘Part 1’, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, managed to make about 20% more on its second Friday, putting 2011 at a bit of a disadvantage. At number two with an estimated $12.2 million, The Muppets came in almost 35% behind 2010’s Tangled, though the latter did have 3D-pricing on its side. The only film to buck the downward trend was Hugo. Martin Scorsese’s 3D family-film earned $4.5 million on Friday - more than what it was projected to make just a few days ago. More analysis tomorrow.
Title |
Friday |
Total |
|
1 |
Breaking Dawn Part 1 |
$16,900,000 |
|
2 |
The Muppets |
$12,275,000 |
|
3 |
Happy Feet Two |
$5,130,000 |
|
4 |
Arthur Christmas |
$4,550,000 |
|
5 |
Hugo |
$4,530,000 |