Articles

December 20, 2013
 

THURSDAY BOX OFFICE: “Anchorman 2″” Adds $5.1M; “American Hustle” Starts Wide Run

 

ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (Paramount) took in another $5.1M on Thursday, down a fairly standard 37% from its Wednesday opening (This Is the End dropped 43% on its first Thursday, while We’re the Millers fell 31%).  With $13.2M in the bank, he studio is predicting $30M over the Fri-Sun weekend, although $25-27M may be more likely, leaving THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (Warners/MGM) in first place.  In any case, we’re just a few days away from the biggest box office week of the year, the Dec 25-Jan 1 period that rolls out as though it’s Saturday 8 days in a row, so Ron Burgundy’s real money lies ahead.

AMERICAN HUSTLE (Sony) started its wide run with Thursday night shows to the tune of $1.1M.  For a movie that lacks the built-in audience of Anchorman, and playing at a relatively slender 2215 theatres (Anchorman is at 3450), that’s a very healthy start for a film that’s in it for the long haul.

 



About the Author

Mitch Salem
MITCH SALEM has worked on the business side of the entertainment industry for 20 years, as a senior business affairs executive and attorney for such companies as NBC, ABC, USA, Syfy, Bravo, and BermanBraun Productions, and before that, at the NY law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. During all that, he has more or less constantly been going to the movies and watching TV, and writing about both since the 1980s. His film reviews also currently appear on screened.com and the-burg.com. In addition, he is co-writer of an episode of the television series "Felicity."