Box Office Update 8/31-9/2: Halloween Delivers Scares Two Months Early

This weekend saw a record fall in the wake of the re-imagining of a horror icon. That's right, Rob Zombie's take on the Halloween tale sailed to the top, easily breaking the earlier record held by Transporter 2. That film took in $20.1 million over the four-day holiday weekend in 2005, while Halloween took in an estimated $26.5 million over the three-day, and will easily cross $30 million for the four-day span. I have to wonder if it would have had the same success if it had opened closer to the holiday for which it is named? It would seem to make more sense to open a Halloween film near Halloween, but this is nothing new. The two prior entries were both summer releases. Rob Zombie's film also seems to stand a good chance of becoming the highest grosser of the series, a record currently held by Halloween: H20 with $55 million.

Following the audience-dividing remake, there were two other films making their top ten debuts. First up is the number three finisher, Balls of Fury. The Dan Fogler comedy vehicle delivers some laughs, and works as a better spoof than films like Epic Movie and Date Movie. It finished the weekend with an estimated $11.3 million. Slipping down the list a bit you will find the Kevin Bacon revenge fantasy Death Sentence in eighth place with an estimated $4.2 million. It delivered the bloody goods, but does not appear that it will be going anywhere at the box office. The James Wan-directed flick will likely find its audience when it hits DVD.

The rest of the returning field all had strong holds for the holiday weekend, except for War which slipped more than 55%. Curious to note that one of the stars of War, Jason Statham, was the star of the previous Labor Day debut record holder, Transporter 2. At the other end of the spectrum is The Bourne Ultimatum, continuing to display strong holds on the box office, slipping just 16% as its total gross will have crossed $200 million before the holiday is out. Also continuing to display a good hold at the box office is the musical Hairspray, hanging onto the top ten in its seventh week of release.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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