By Ryan Parsons | Image property of Disney, Variety
WALL•E
While both
WALL•E and Wanted were forced to go head to head this weekend with their opening bows, the two films fortunately didn't have much in common and therefore drove an entirely different audience to theaters. Considering that the two films should have satisfied just about every type of moviegoer, it comes as no surprise that each experienced an excellent start.
Box Office W-Winners: Wanted & WALL•E
While it was Pixar's little robot, WALL•E, that took the top spot at the box office this weekend, Wanted was by no means the loser.
WALL•E easily won the weekend with a whopping $62.5 million from 3,992 screens. For those looking for a bit more gore, Wanted satisfied with an estimated $51.1 million.
With these strong numbers, both films made the record books.
WALL•E scored the title of biggest opening-day gross for Pixar, as well as the second highest June opening of all time; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban still holds the record.
Wanted earned the title of best opening for an R-rated film in June and sixth best all-time opening for any R-rated pic.
While soaring gas prices have stopped consumers from spending elsewhere, it looks like the theaters have quickly become the number one destination for escape this June.
Thanks to WALL•E and Wanted, the weekend was up by as much as 20% vs. the same frame last year, topping off an unusually strong June that has given the domestic box office a needed boost.
The other current releases are doing their part as well. Except for Myers' failed attempt at The Love Guru, all other films performed well. Get Smart held onto the #3 spot thanks to a marginal decline of 48% in its second frame. Though WALL•E meant stiff competition for Kung Fu Panda, the DreamWorks Animation showed off some powerful (and very hairy) legs by holding onto the #4 spot with $11.7 million.
While WALL•E was aimed for kids, it comes as no surprise that much of the audience comprised of adults lacking in rugrats.
Every Pixar movie has opened at No. 1, which Disney prexy of distribution Chuck Viane characterized as “one of the most envied track records in show business.”
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