‘This Is It’ Wins on Election Day

posted November 4, 2009 1:46 PM

Michael Jackson’s This Is It rounded out its first week in theatres with another first place finish on Tuesday. Sony’s concert documentary grossed $2.67 million for the day, which was up a healthy 9 percent from Monday. That is a good sign for the film, though it should be noted that a number of films (especially those aimed at family audiences) experienced strong daily increases on Tuesday, which is traditionally the case on Election Day (even in off-year elections). This Is It has now grossed $39.57 million through seven days. While that is below expectations, the film is holding up well thus far and is also performing much better internationally where Michael Jackson has remained extremely popular over the years.

Paranormal Activity remained in second place with $1.13 million. However, Paramount’s low-budget horror blockbuster was down 5 percent from Monday (making it one of just two wide releases to experience a daily slide on Tuesday). After displaying tremendous holding power throughout October, Paranormal Activity has experienced significant slow down during each of the past three days. Paranormal Activity was down 34 percent from last Tuesday, which suggests that the film could see a sizable decline over the weekend. With that said, Paranormal Activity has already grossed $86.94 million to date.

Law Abiding Citizen finished in third with $0.90 million. The Overture release starring Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler held up well on Tuesday, as it was up 16 percent from Monday and down 23 percent from last Tuesday. Law Abiding Citizen has grossed $53.16 million through 19 days of release and could see another solid hold this upcoming weekend. Overture will look to follow-up the success of Law Abiding Citizen with the release of their next film, The Men Who Stare at Goats, on Friday.

Warner’s Where the Wild Things Are was up one spot to place in fourth with $0.71 million. The adaptation of the popular children’s book was up 23 percent from Monday, which was a better daily increase than most films aimed at adults experienced, but a smaller increase than those experienced by both Astro Boy (up 50 percent) and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (up 57 percent). Where the Wild Things Are has grossed $63.94 million in 19 days, but has yet to double its $32.70 million opening weekend gross.

Couples Retreat was down one spot from Monday to round out the day’s top five. The PG-13 comedy from Universal grossed $0.68 million, which was up 15 percent from Monday and down a slim 15 percent from last Tuesday. Couples Retreat has grossed $88.30 million to date, placing it just $11.70 million away from reaching the $100 million milestone.

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About the Groggers

After having his first film review published at the age of 16, Phil Contrino has worked for five years as a freelance entertainment writer covering film, music and television. In addition to writing about the entertainment industry, he has contributed to the world’s largest poker magazine, Bluff.

To get a piece of what a member of the MySpace/Facebook generation thinks, check back often for Phil’s take on all things film.

Past Posts

‘2012’ #1 on Eve of ‘New Moon’

‘2012’ Leads Wednesday Box Office

‘2012’ Continues to Dominate

‘2012’ Destroys the Competition

$65.2 Million Debut For ‘2012’

Moviegoers Respond to Apocalypse

'2012' Set to Exceed $60 Million

$41 Million Seven-Day Start for ‘Carol’

‘Christmas Carol’ Leads Veterans Day

Strong Tuesday for ‘Christmas Carol’

‘A Christmas Carol’ #1 on Monday

$30.1 M Start for ‘A Christmas Carol’

'Christmas Carol' Opens in First

'Christmas Carol' Set to Grab $33 Million

$43.9 M For ‘This Is It’ in Nine Days