For the third weekend in a row moviegoers chose National Treasure: Book of Secrets as their favorite movie to see. It was able to gross $20.2 million, which ended up being a fairly strong hold of 43 percent. Not bad for the third time around.
So far Secrets has earned $171 million, just behind the original National Treasure, which earned $173 million. It's possible Book of Secrets could reach in the $250 million range domestically. Disney (DIS) is very happy with this release.
In its fourth weekend, I am Legend was able to finish in second place, drawing another $16.4 million; down 40 percent from last week. Because the second, third and fourth place movies this week are so close, the final tally could rearrange the total when released. But this is the estimated finish at this time for Legend and Will Smith. So far it has earned $228.7 million.
Bringing up the third-place spot this weekend, is the comedy Juno. It surged 53 percent in its fifth week, based on Fox Searchlight finally putting it out to a larger venue, reaching 1,925 this weekend, in contrast to only 1,019 last week. It's grossed a surprising $52 million, and looks like it still has legs left to run on. It ended with an estimated $16.2 million over the weekend.
In a surprise to a lot of people, Alvin and the Chipmunks continues to perform strongly, as it also brought in $16 million, bringing its total to $176.7 million, pretty much guaranteeing it will end over $200 million domestically. As usual, many critics trashed it, but I'm starting wonder if they understand the phrase: family-friendly. Good films for the family will always perform well.
While this is a good start to the new year, the current crop of movies should drop next weekend in sales, and there isn't a lot of hope with the new offerings next week.
One sleeper that may surprise is VeggieTales, which definitely has a strong fan base. It's possible it may end up doing a Alvin and the Chipmunks thing, as it probably appeals to a similar demographic.
| 1 | National Treasure: Book of Secrets | $20,225,000 |
| 2 | I Am Legend | $16,300,000 |
| 3 | Juno | $16,225,000 |
| 4 | Alvin and the Chipmunks | $16,000,000 |
| 5 | One Missed Call | $13,525,000 |
| 6 | Charlie Wilson's War | $8,184,000 |
| 7 | P.S. I Love You | $8,010,000 |
| 8 | The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep | $6,300,000 |
| 9 | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | $5,400,000 |
| 10 | Atonement | $5,124,000 |
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