According to online ticket sites, the advance sales of "Shrek the Third" are equal to or exceeding "Shrek 2."
For movietickets.com, they reported that Internet sales are about the same for "Shrek the Third" as they were for "Shrek 2." Their major competitor Fandango.com, has had explosive sales as they reported sales are more than double what they were for the previous "Shrek." Movietickets.com and Fandango.com are the tow largest movie-ticket sites in the U.S.
Some analysts are predicting a gross for "Shrek the Third" at about $80 million for its opening weekend. That sounds low to me, but with family-targeted films, sales can be spread out over a longer period of time than other offerings, making it difficult to guage by its first weekend. I would still be surprised to see it only reach the $80 million domestic mark.
The major reason given for a potential smaller audience was the debut of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," the following weekend. Some think it may cut into the "Shrek" audience. I'm thinking that it won't. Most families will probably go to both.
What's more interesting to me is the effect it will have on "Spider-Man 3," and whether it will plunge in a huge way this weekend. It will probably be lucky to reach the $30 million mark.
"Shrek the Third" will open on Friday in an estimated 4,100 theaters.
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