Dreamworks’ Puss in Boots is still number one at the box office, grossing $33 million, just shy of its release-weekend-winnings, $34.1 million, and giving Puss in Boots the smallest second-weekend decline of any wide release in 2011. Personally, I believe that this box office miracle is due to American audiences’ love of cats, puns, and cat-related puns. Am I right?
Puss in Boots crushed Ben Stiller‘s Tower Heist, which opened to a disappointing $25.1 million. Stiller’s previous films have averaged $31 million on their first weekends, and Tower Heist cost $85 million to make.
According to Universal, 62 percent of the film’s audience was over the age of 30, which is one of the main reasons the movie did so poorly: lack of attendance from younger demographics.
Did anyone really think a Wall Street-themed film starring Eddie Murphy was going to pull in the teenage crowds? I feel like Eddie Murphy hasn’t made a film for young people since Daddy Day Care.
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas opened in third, making $13.1 million, which isn’t too shabby compared to the previous Harold & Kumar‘s opening, $14.9 million. Yes, the newer film has the benefit of 3D ticket sales, but one can only expect so much money from the third film in a stoner franchise.
Paranormal Activity 3 is still bringing in the cash, making $8.5 million and falling to fourth, while In Time landed in fifth, earning $7.7 million.
What did you see this weekend?