Despite “Quarantine’s” lead over “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” which ranked second with $4.5 million, industry estimates figure that the R-rated zombie film might have a hard time keeping Disney’s dog pic down. It’s conceivable that Saturday’s family matinee effect will lift “Chihuahua” to first place by Sunday, placing it ahead of not only “Quarantine,” but another R-rated pic, Warner Bros.’ Leonardo DiCaprio-Russell Crowe actioner “Body of Lies.”
In its second Friday, “Chihuahua” dipped 45% at 3,218 theaters, raising its eight-day cume to $39.5 million. The PG-rated pic inched ahead of “Lies,” which opened in third with $4.4 million from 2,710.
“Lies” marks Crowe’s fourth collaboration with director Ridley Scott after the crime epic “American Gangster” which also starred Denzel Washington. “Gangster” posted the second highest opening day for an R-Rated fall drama last November with $15.9 million.
DreamWorks thriller “Eagle Eye,” distributed by Paramount, continued to chart in the top five in its third Friday. The Shia LaBeouf starrer slotted fourth with $3.2 million on 3,614, off 41% from a week ago, with a total B.O. to date of $62.7 million.
Sony’s Michael Cera-Kat Dennings teen laffer “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” ranked fifth with $2.1 million from 2,421, down 52%, and an eight-day cume of $16.4 million.
Universal’s biopic “The Express” about college football hero Ernie Davis opened in sixth with $1.5 million off 2,808. The Fox-Walden family adventure “City of Ember,” starring Tim Robbins and Bill Murray, trailed Friday’s wide bows, posting $940,000 off 2,022.
Warner Bros.’ Guy Ritchie shoot-em up “RockNRolla” owned the highest theater average among limited fare with $6,053 or $42,372 at seven locales. Since its Wednesday opening “RocknRolla” has racked up $101,300. Mike Leigh’s comedy-drama “Happy-Go-Lucky,” distributed by Miramax, followed with a per theater of $4,646 or $19,000 at four theaters. Sony Classics’ “Rachel Getting Married” saw a 51% uptick in its Friday-to-Friday haul with $116,000 from 26 sites or $4,479 per theater. Rocky Mountain’s Billy Graham biopic “Billy: The Early Years” generated $72,000 at 282 venues.
Source: Variety
