Opening the previous weekend with the largest animated opening ever was not enough for “Monsters, Inc.” “Monsters” collected a towering $45.5 million in its sophomore frame which marked a mere 27 percent drop from the previous weekend. In a year when all films that opened north of $50 million fell by over 50 percent their second weekend, “Monsters” had some surplus power. With $122.2 million total already, “Monsters” was ahead of the game and braced this weekend for “Harry Potter.”
“Shallow Hal” reached deep into moviegoers pockets for $22.5 million. The opening was one of the largest for the writing/directing/producing/sibling team of Peter and Bobby Farrelly. “Hal” averaged $8,129 from 2,771 screens, but word of mouth was mixed so this weekend will tell its fortune.
“The One” dropped hard, 52 percent, to No. 3. The Jet Li action flick earned $9.1 million for $31.9 million overall.
At No. 4, “Domestic Disturbance” grossed $8.6 million after falling 38 percent. While not on the order of his lowest bombs, the John Travolta thriller did not hold up very well and has only grossed $26.2 million cumulative.
Screenwriter David Mamet opened with $7.8 million. “Heist” gave the writer/director his biggest opening. “Heist” played on 1,891 screens for a strong average of $4,137.
Down 37 percent to No. 6, K-PAX produced another $6.4 million for $40.4 million total.
At No. 7, “13 Ghosts” grossed $4.4 million in its third weekend. Despite dropping at least 40 percent each week, “Ghosts” recouped its budget already by grossing $34.3 million cumulative.
Jumping from No. 20 to No. 8, “Life as a House” built its foundation on sand. The Kevin Kline drama tried to platform for two weeks, but the word of mouth did not travel as “House” grossed only $3.8 million from 1,288 screens for a weak $2,965 average.
“Riding in Cars with Boys” rode for $2.1 million in its third round. “Boys” has earned $27.8 million overall, joining the ranks of Drew Barrymore’s flops.
In the ten spot, “Training Day” entered its eleventh hour and pulled in $2 million. With $72.6 total, King Kong ain’t got nothing on Denzel.
This weekend: Please allow him to introduce himself; he’s a man of wealth and taste. The one and only “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” enters the marketplace, whooping it up with his broom and his owl, looking to smash every box office record known to man.