Opening 12 years, almost to the day, after his behemoth film “Titanic,” James Cameron’s 3D sci-fi spectacle “Avatar” drew a strong $27 million in its first day at the box office from 3,452 theaters according to Variety.
First day for ‘Avatar’ is the highest for a Twentieth Century Fox release opening outside the summer frame. Previous champ was 2006’s “Ice Age: The Meltdown” which took in $21.8 million.
Among all opening days which are Fridays in December, “Avatar” ranks behind Will Smith’s 2007 sci-fi tentpole “I Am Legend” which grossed $30.1 million. 2003’s “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” continues to own the all-time opening day record in December with $34.5 million, however, that film unspooled on a Wednesday.
It’s quite possible that the east coast winter storms cut into the opening day figure for “Avatar” a bit. However, much like Cameron’s “Titanic,” “Avatar” is bound to sprout a fantastic set of legs based on word of mouth — a huge asset heading into the Christmas holiday, which falls on Friday. Immediately evident: the exit polls for ‘Avatar,’ both stateside and abroad, have been truly fantastic.
When “Titanic” was released on Dec. 19, 1997, it posted a first day gross of $8.7 million and an opening weekend of $28.6 million — figures which were respectable, but far from being records. However, with Christmas falling on a Saturday in 1997, “Titanic” saw boffo gains of 40% on its second Friday and 24% for its second weekend. “Titanic” finaled its domestic tally at $600.8 million.
The box office champ in terms of opening records back in 1997 was Steven Spielberg’s “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” which bowed over the Memorial Day frame that year with a first day record of $21.6 million and a three-day haul of $72.1 million according to Rentrak Theatrical.
Coming in second on Friday was Disney’s hand-drawn animated toon “The Princess and the Frog” which generated $3.4 million at 3,475, down 52% in its second Friday of wide release. Since bowing four weeks ago, “Princess” has accumulated an estimated domestic gross of $35.9 million.
Staying tough in third was Sandra Bullock’s football drama “The Blind Side” which counted $3.2 million at 3,407 in its fifth Friday ,down 33% with a domestic B.O. of $157.9 million.
Vying to counterprogram “Avatar,” Sony’s new comedy this weekend “Did You Hear About the Morgans” with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker collected an estimated $2.4 million from 2,718 in fourth.
Summit Entertainment’s “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” slotted fifth with $1.4 million from 3,035, repping a 43% decline and a running domestic tally of $271.6 million.
Live for Films 