Box Office: Hancock Arrives

by Matt Bradshaw Jul 2nd 2008 // 4:02PM

Filed under: Action, Comedy, Box Office, Family Films, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Box Office Predictions

It was a good weekend at the box office for both of last week's newbies, marking the first time in history that two films opening on the same weekend pulled in over $50 million each. Here's the top five:

1. Wall-E: $63 million
2. Wanted: $50.9 million
3. Get Smart: $20.2 million
4. Kung Fu Panda: $11.7 million
5. The Incredible Hulk: $9.6 million

Only one major release this week, but we've also got one going into wider release.

Hancock
What's It All About: Will Smith plays Hancock, a hard drinking anti-social superhero, and a PR agent played by Jason Bateman sets out to repair Hancock's public image.
Why It Might Do Well: Will Smith may not always have the Midas touch (I Am Legend left me cold) but he's got quite a few successful blockbusters under his belt, and people are loving the superhero flicks these days. I've liked Bateman's work a lot since Arrested Development, and I'm always glad to see him. Also, Cinematical's own Kim Voynar has given the film her seal of approval.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Unlike most big-budget superhero movies, this one doesn't originate from another media like comic books, so it doesn't come with the core fanbase of an Iron Man or an Incredible Hulk. Also, the 36% fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com is not encouraging.
Number of Theaters: 3,900
Prediction: $45 million

And going into wider release this week...



Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
What's It All About: Produced by Julia Roberts and starring Abigail Breslin, this film is based on the American Girl line of dolls and books. Set during the Depression, Kit Kittredge is a pre-teen girl who loves to write and hopes to one day be published in her local newspaper. Soon the plucky young lass must solve a mystery that will keep her family from losing their home.
Why It Might Do Well: 81% at Rottentomatoes.com is encouraging, and the film stars an Oscar nominee who is cute as a button.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Though I've heard good things about the film, getting boys into the theater may be tough.
Number of Theaters: 1,836
Prediction: $14 million

This week's prediction is a little tricky. Hancock seems like a surefire number one, but where will Kit Kittredge end up? Here's my best guest.
1. Hancock
2. Wall-E
3. Wanted
4. Get Smart
5. Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Once again I fell short of a perfect score, but congratulations to the four who did successfully name the top five. Here's how we all did.
1. Anna07: 16
1. Bradford Oman: 16
1. airtoast: 16
1. Kris: 16
2. Matt: 12
2. Awesomepants: 12
2. Lostinafog: 12
2. dxr: 12
2. I Eat Robots: 12
2. zach: 12
2. AJ Wiley: 12
2. Alex Focker: 12
2. cubitfox: 12
2. Ray: 12
2. Chris: 12
3. Simon David Michels: 11
4. darkagair: 10
4. peter: 10
5. Gary: 8
5. cough: 8
5. Jon H: 8

Join in on the fun. Post your predictions for the top five movies in the comments section below before 5:00PM Eastern Time on Friday. One point for every top five movie correctly named, two points for every correct placement, and one extra point for the top movie.

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Tags: Abigail Breslin, AbigailBreslin, Cinema, Cinematical, Hancock, Julia Roberts, JuliaRoberts, Kit Kittredge An American Girl, KitKittredgeAnAmericanGirl, Movies, Will Smith, WillSmith

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