The first weekend of the year is traditionally a slow one at the movies. For nearly a decade studios didn't even bother releasing new entries, a streak that broke in 2005. This year things are calm once again with only last weeks leftovers in theaters, giving audiences a chance to catch their breath or catch up on the big end-of-year rush of new flicks. Enjoy the respite. The rest of January is slated with nearly 20 new movie making wide release debuts.
Despite the lack of new releases, U.S. theaters banked more money than any previous first weekend of the year. At over $130 million it's a pretty good start given the fact that there was nothing new to watch.
Nothing budged in the top five from last week's placeholders, though most movies dropped the usual 20 - 30%. No surprise that the only movie to drop out of the top ten was Frank Miller's The Spirit. The cinematic debacle dropped from its debut ninth place to the thirteenth spot this week. Overall it's made less than $20 million so far, leaving a big black hole in Lions Gate Film's wallet. But Frank Miller shouldn't be too worried. M. Night Shyamalan's movies have tanked in the past but people still keep giving him money to make more.
Slumdog Millionaire took Spirit's place, making just enough to sneak into the number ten spot. With over $30 million in sales worldwide the movie has already easily covered its modest $15 million budget, allowing director Danny Boyle to breath a sigh of relief. His last two films, Millions and Sunshine struggled both in the U.S. and abroad, leaving profit margins for Fox Searchlight sketchy at best. Fortunately people keep giving him money as well, which is a good thing given he's one of the better up and coming writers and directors out there. of course, at the rate Hollywood is going I'll say that about anyone not writing or directing crap spoof films, sequels or comic book treatments.
For the full details of 2009's first weekend box office top ten, check out the chart below.
