S.W.A.T. Storms Box Office
"S.W.A.T," starring Colin Farrell and Samuel L. Jackson, took in an impressive $37 million at theaters this weekend, followed by the role-reversal comedy "Freaky Friday" which took in $22.3 million. "American Wedding" fell to third place in its second week, bringing in a little over $15 million.
Inspired by the '70s cop television series, "S.W.A.T" did better than expected, reports The Early Show contributor and People Magazine Senior Editor Jess Cagle.
Not only did the film have a good trailer but it delivered what it promised, he says, noting that a lot people who watched the TV show went to see it. Of its total audience, 45 percent was over 25, Cagle says.
The Colin Farrell factor also may have been in play. This is the actor's fourth movie opening at No. 1. Though his fee is less than that commanded by Julia Roberts and Tom Cruise, the $8 million movie star may show with S.W.A.T. that he is truly a Hollywood star, Cagle says.
"Freaky Friday" was another film that did better than expected, opening at No.2. The remake of the 1976 comedy about a mother and daughter who switch bodies pushed its total since opening Wednesday to $33.2 million.
By the time the weekend rolled around, it had generated word of mouth. The studio knew people were going to like it and start recommending it to their friends. Cagle says this movie has the best performer of the summer in it, Jamie Lee Curtis.
"She's really amazing. One reason she should get nominated for an Oscar. I'm going start that campaign now," he says.
"American Wedding" slipped from first to third place with $15.1 million, bringing its 10-day total to $64.9 million. Cagle notes the five percent drop off from last week means that most people who wanted to see it saw it opening weekend.
He says, "The movie's going to do fine. The last ones did $100 million for the first one, $145 million for the second one." He predicts this installment is going to do somewhere in between those two.
"Gigli," the Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck movie that was
roundly panned by critics and ignored by audiences, dropped out of
the Top 10 after just two weeks.
Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts' romantic comedy "Le Divorce" opened strongly in limited release, taking in $533,000 in 34 theaters. From the team of director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant, "Le Divorce" follows the romantic misadventures of two American sisters in Paris.
"Le Divorce" expands to wide release over the next few weekends.
The surfing documentary "Step Into Liquid" also opened well, taking in $135,000 at just five theaters in New York City, Los Angeles and Honolulu. The movie will be playing in the top 25 to 30 domestic markets by Aug. 22.
The following are the numbers according to Hollywood.com:
- "S.W.A.T.," $37 million.
- "Freaky Friday," $22.3 million.
- "American Wedding," $15.1 million.
- "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,"
$13.1 million. - "Seabiscuit," $11.9 million.
- "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over," $10.1 million.
- "Bad Boys II," $6 million.
- "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life," $5.2
million. - "Finding Nemo," $2.5 million.
- "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," $1.6 million.