Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios' Iron Man exceeded all expectations, earning a massive $100.75 million during its opening weekend domestically from 4,105 theaters and $104.2 million since debuting Thursday night, averaging $24,543 per site. Internationally, the film has also earned an incredible $96.7 million in 57 countries since it began opening Wednesday, putting its worldwide total at $201 million after just five days! The comic book adaptation, directed by Jon Favreau and starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges, was the 10th biggest opening of all-time and the fourth biggest for a superhero movie. Among nonsequels, it came in behind only the first Spider-Man, which opened with $114.8 million. As far as May openings, Iron Man came in at #8, just behind X-Men: The Last Stand's $102.8 million when you look at the three-day figure (not counting Thursday night). Financed by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount, the movie cost about $150 million to make and $75 million to market.Debuting in second place with $15.5 million was Sony's Made of Honor, starring Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan. Budgeted at $40 million, the romantic comedy was released in 2,729 theaters and averaged $5,679 per location.
Last week's champ, Universal's Baby Mama dropped to third and added $10.3 million for a two-week total of $32.3 million. The Tina Fey and Amy Poehler comedy cost $30 million to make.
Remaining in the fourth spot, Universal's Forgetting Sarah Marshall earned $6.1 million in its third weekend for a total of $44.8 million. The romantic disaster comedy was made for $30 million.
New Line's Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay rounded out the top five but fell almost 60% in ticket sales its second weekend. The comedy earned $6 million and has a total of $25.3 million so far. Likewise, Lionsgate's The Forbidden Kingdom dropped a big 62.5% in sales, making $4.2 million to push its total to $45.1 million after three weeks.
In limited release, Fugitive Pieces made $108,000 from 30 theaters, Redbelt took in $68,600 from six theaters, Son of Rambow collected $52,500 from five theaters, and Mister Lonely received $19,100 from just one theater.
Although Iron Man had a big opening, overall business was down 15% from the same weekend last year, when Spider-Man 3 had its record debut of $151.1 million.
Source: ComingSoon
