Movie ticket sales were down significantly on December 31, as audiences found other things to do with their New Year’s Eves, but the results still gave Les Miserables a symbolic turnaround, putting it back in 2d place after a weekend behind Django Unchained. Business should zoom today for the holiday finale, before settling into mundane levels for most of January.
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY (Warners/MGM) was in front once again on Monday, down 29% from Sunday for $7M and a total thus far of $228.7M (plus close to a half-billion overseas). The movie’s boxoffice question is whether its legs will be long enough to carry it to $300M, or more hobbit-like due to its expected minimal showing (unlike its Lord of the Rings forebears) at the Oscars.
LES MISERABLES (Universal) fell a similar 30% to $6.3M, but that was enough to put it back in 2d place with a total to date of $73M. Les Miz is expected to have a more robust Oscar season, and will be trying to exceed $150M.
DJANGO UNCHAINED (Weinstein/Sony) took a 43% plunge on Monday to $5.2M and a total of $68.6M. Its longterm prospects are somewhat unclear, although it, too, will be targeting $150M.
Family audiences continued to flail for something to see, giving PARENTAL GUIDANCE (20th) the day’s only increase, up 13% to $4.7M. (Look for studios not to make the same mistake next Christmas season, handing the entire family audience to one studio.) That puts it at $34M, and puts $70M in sight.
Other declines included 21% for JACK REACHER (Paramount), for $3.4M and a $47.7M total, 30% for THIS IS 40 (Universal) for $2.6M and $40M, and 16% for THE GUILT TRIP (Paramount) for $1.8M and $22.8M.
Limited releases weren’t immune either, as SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (Weinstein) dropped 10% and THE IMPOSSIBLE (Summit/Lionsgate) fell 24%.
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