‘High School Musical 3’ stays at the top
“High School Musical 3: Senior Year” continued its reign at the No. 1 spot on the weekend box office for its second weekend with an estimated $15 million. The film is getting close to an estimated worldwide total of $146.8 million after just 10 days. Kevin Smith’s new R-rated comedy “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” opened with an estimated $10.7 million and claimed the No. 2 spot on the weekend box office. The Weinstein Co. spent an estimated $20 million getting “Zack and Miri” to the screen and the film’s use of “Porno” in the title was considered a challenge for some theater owners, networks and newspapers – who refused to display the full title, according to Variety. The film stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, and had a lower opening than past comedies with Rogen. The film’s opening was more along the lines of Smith’s other outings – including “Clerks II.” Lionsgate’s Halloween horror treat “Saw V” took the No. 3 spot on the weekend box office with an estimated $10.1 million. The film has earned an estimated $45.8 million since its release. Clint Eastwood’s “Changeling” with Angelina Jolie opened nationwide with an estimated $9.4 million. The Universal film took the No. 4 spot on the weekend box office. The new horror flick “The Haunting of Molly Hartley” earned the No. 5 spot on the weekend box office with an estimated $6 million. Disney’s “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” continued to have long legs thanks to short dogs with a No. 6 placing on the weekend box office. The film dropped to $4.7 million and has earned $84 million since its release. Fox Searchlight’s “The Secret Life of Bees” took the No. 7 spot with an estimated $4 million. The drama has earned $25.3 million since its release. More free tv online
In Variety, TWC prexy of distribution Steve Bunnell stated: “We were a little disappointed on Friday, but then came the surge. I’m glad to see people responded to the film as a Seth Rogen comedy, as opposed to responding to it as a controversial movie.”