It seems like it’s been a while since a new film had a big opening, but that’s what happened this weekend as Watchmen, the controversial comic book movie, posted an estimated $55.7 million in ticket sales. The film played to generally mixed reviews and reactions, and the controversy I just mentioned comes in the form of outright criticism from the original comic book creator. I’m not into comic books movies very much, so I’m going to steer clear of this one.
Madea Goes to Jail slipped to second place after spending a couple weeks in the top spot. This Tyler Perry film has now earned a whopping $76.5 million after adding another $8.8 million to its coffers over the weekend.
Taken came in third with $7.45 million in gross revenue, and Slumdog Millionaire continues profiting from Oscar buzz with an additional $6.92 in ticket sales. The most precipitous drop of the week goes to Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience, which earned a disappointing $2.79 million and has grossed just $16.8 million in two weeks.
Here’s the complete top 10 at the box office for the weekend ending 3/8/09:
- Watchmen, $55.7 million
- Madea Goes to Jail, $8.8 million
- Taken, $7.45 million
- Slumdog Millionaire, $6.92 million
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop, $4.2 million
- He’s Just Not That Into You, $4.02 million
- Coraline, $3.31 million
- Confessions of a Shopaholic, $3.12 million
- Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience, $2.79 million
- Fired Up!, $2.6 million