Per Theater Chart: Moon Shines Over Wide Releases

June 12, 2012

For the third weekend in a row, Moonrise Kingdom remained the top film on the per theater chart with an average of $16,247. Again, most limited releases would kill to have an opening week per theater average that high while playing in only a couple theaters. Moonrise Kingdom did it in its third weekend of release while playing in nearly 100 theaters. To call it a success is an understatement. Prometheus finished in second place with $15,032, while the overall box office leader, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, was right behind with an average of $14,166. Dark Horse opened with $13,551 in its lone theater. Safety Not Guaranteed opened in ninety theaters, which is a little high for a limited release, but it still earned an impressive average of $10,862.

There were a couple of New limited releases that also did well, starting with Lola Versus at $7,954 in four theaters. Paul Williams Still Alive earned $6,116 in one theater. Both of these films should continue in limited release for a while. On the other hand, Peace, Love, and Misunderstanding opened in too many theaters, 31, and with a per theater average that is too low, $3,418. It will have trouble finding places to expand to, while many theaters that have it now will drop it shortly. Bel Ami opened in 16 theaters and earned an average of $2,376. It will fade away rather quickly. Patagonia Rising missed the Mendoza Line with just $981 in its single theater. Letters to Elena was even further back with an average of $643 in 12 theaters.

This past week also saw milestones reached for a few Per Theater Chart alumni:

• The Intouchables just managed to reach $1 million over the weekend, but it should have no trouble getting to $2 million. Its per theater average is still strong at over $5,000, so some further expansion is likely.
• To the Arctic topped $3 million just before the weekend and its legs have been so strong that $4 million is very likely.
• For Greater Glory got to $2 million before the weekend and $3 million during the weekend. However, its per theater average took a hit and it is already shedding theaters. The film should get to $4 million, but it probably won't get much further than that.
• Moonrise Kingdom also reached $2 million before the weekend and $3 million during the weekend. On the other hand, it will get to $4 million tonight and how far it goes from here is hard to predict, but $20 million to $30 million is very likely.
• Bernie topped $4 million just before the weekend and should get to $5 million shortly.
• As expected, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel hit $30 million over the weekend. This is more than Joyful Noise earned, and it opened in 2,700 theaters.

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Theater Averages, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, Bel Ami, Peace, Love, and Misunderstanding, Bernie, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Dark Horse, Moonrise Kingdom, Prometheus, Les Intouchables, To the Arctic 3D, Cartas a Elena, Lola Versus, Safety Not Guaranteed, For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada, Paul Williams Still Alive, Patagonia Rising