Box Office: The Dark Knight Arrives

It's a good time to be a cinematic super hero, and Jules Verne proved that his work still has legs 103 years after his death, but Eddie Murphy's Meet Dave died a thousand deaths pulling in a mere $5.2 million and not even making the top five. Here are the totals:

1. Hellboy II: The Golden Army: $34.5 million
2. Hancock: $32 million
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth: $21 million
4. Wall-E: $18.7 million
5. Wanted: $11.9 million

Three new releases this week, and in the very broadest of terms we have one for the guys, one for the gals and one for the kids.

The Dark Knight
What's It All About: Do I really need to explain this one? Christian Bale returns to the role of Batman in the sequel to the series rebooting Batman Begins, with Christopher Nolan once again in the director's chair. There's a new crime boss in Gotham City and he's called The Joker (Heath Ledger). The two clash, things blow up, awesomeness ensues.
Why It Might Do Well: This will be the movie to beat this Summer. Batman is so ingrained into American pop culture that he's bonded to our collective DNA. Batman Begins grossed $205 million domestically and $371 million worldwide. The Dark Knight is scoring 88% over at Rottentomatoes.com and Cinematical's own James Rocchi had some good things to say about it.
Why It Might Not Do Well: There remains the possibility that people with a fear of bats will join forces with those with a fear of clowns and boycott the film, which of course means more popcorn for the rest of us.
Number of Theaters: 4,300
Prediction: $125 million



Mamma Mia!
What's It All About: In this adaptation of the Tony Award winning Broadway musical Meryl Streep stars as Donna, a woman preparing for her daughter's wedding, unaware that her little girl has invited three of Donna's former lovers in hopes of learning which of them is her real father. And of course all of this is set to the music of ABBA.
Why It Might Do Well: The stage version of Mamma Mia! has been seen by over 30 million people, and I bet a lot of them are waiting to see this movie.
Why It Might Not Do Well: While not in direct competition for the same audience, The Dark Knight is going to take a huge bite out of the this weekend's box office.
Number of Theaters: 3,000
Prediction: $24 million

Space Chimps
What's It All About: Animated tale of the grandson of the first chimp in space who is chosen for a dangerous mission to overthrow a despot on an alien world. Insert monkey business joke where applicable.
Why It Might Do Well: Kids do love the computer animation.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The trailer is remarkably not funny, and I think this one will fade quickly.
Number of Theaters: 2,400
Prediction: $5 million

At the height of my comic book geekdom in the 70s and 80s, I resigned myself to the fact that comics were the ugly step-cousins of pop culture, meaning that if you weren't into comics you probably looked down on them. Now, if things go as I suspect they will, next week we will see three movies about super heroes in the top five. Truly this is a more civilized age.

1. The Dark Knight
2. Mamma Mia!
3. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
4. Hancock
5. Journey to the Center of the Earth

Most of us expected Meet Dave to finish in the top five, so congrats to filmsuki for the week's only perfect score. Here's how everyone did:
1. filmsuki: 16
2. Matt: 13
2. Chris: 13
2. Ray: 13
2. VP: 13
2. AJ Wiley: 13
3. I Eat Robots: 12
3. Alex Fuquharson: 12
3. vega: 12
4. CastleKnight: 11
4. Awesomepants: 11
4. rell: 11
5. Stan: 10
6. lostinafog: 9
6. airtoast: 9
6. Gregory Rubinstein: 9
7. Bradford Oman: 8
8. DarkAgair: 7
8. Romel: 7
8. Prateek S.: 7
9. Mike: 6
10. Goodo: 4

Am I right about how the The Dark Knight will do or do I have bats in my belfry? I suspect both may be true, but let's hear your forecast. 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.