“‘Avatar’ earns $73 million in opening”

Per THR:

James Cameron’s “Avatar,” a 3D extravaganza hyped as a giant leap in cinematic prowess, earned an estimated $73 million during its first weekend at the North American boxoffice, distributor 20th Century Fox said Sunday.

The opening for the costly sci-fi film fell short of industry forecasts in the $85 million range. But the News Corp. unit said the tally beat its internal projections and noted that an enormous snowstorm along the East Coast crippled business for all movies.

The mid-Atlantic region got hammered, so that is a legitimate point of consideration for the lower-than-expected weekend opening. However those figuring Avatar will do Titanic box office — $1.84B worldwide — are very likely off-base. The love story of Titanic created a phenomenon among women, especially teen and tween girls, who went to the movie multiple times, in many cases dozens of screenings. Avatar does have a love story, but girls aren’t the primary audience for the movie, boys are — and they (per conventional wisdom) care less about romance, more about action. So there is a second level of logic re Avatar: The moviegoer’s experience of new storytelling technologies will result in multiple return visits. Perhaps. But I just don’t see Avatar doing anything more than 60% of Titanic’s business — because Jack and Rose’s love story resonated with the audience’s emotions, thereby, stirring them to see the movie again and again. Not sure a new movie technology will result in that type of emotional response.

With a reported $300M budget, Avatar will have to do well above $500M in B.O. to be considered a success — but I’m thinking it will walk to that mark, probably hit $700M and maybe $1B.

What do you think about how Avatar will fare in terms of box office.

BTW:

The film also earned $159.2 million from 106 foreign markets. Individual-market tallies were not immediately available.

So as of today, the movie’s at $232M and counting for worldwide B.O. receipts.

UPDATE: The Vulture thinks Avatar may hit $1B.

Comment Archive