The trick to scoring at the box office in 2007 is to get negative reviews in print. Like all summer tentpoles before it, Transformers made a killing over its six-day holiday in spite of bad press. Well, it wasn't all bad -- both Fred (review) and I (review) loved it.
Transformers Dominates the Box Office
Just when you thought record titles couldn't get any longer, it turns out that Transformers scored the best seven-day showing for a nonsequel. It's a reach, I know, but still a record.
The film took in an estimated $152.5 million domestically during the six-day holiday (plus early showings). Thanks to a strong international opening at $93.6 million, the worldwide cume for Transformers now stands in at $246.1 million. That's right folks, Paramount has already made their money back and then some.
With numbers this strong, it comes as no surprise that both Paramount and Michael Bay are already contemplating a sequel. It just so happens that the studio is also in desparate need of a new live-action franchise, so there you go.
Transformers wasn't the only film to score during the box office-slumping holiday. Disney/Pixar's Ratatouille experienced a 38% drop to take in another $29 million over the weekend; bringing its total take to a healthy $109.5 million. I got my parents to see the latest CG animation this weekend and they seem to agree with the critics -- this Pixar creation reminds us that CG animations can still be great films.
Live Free and Die Hard is still trucking on with $17.4 million over the weekend. Even with the 48% dip, the film is closing in on the $100 million mark with $84.1M.
License to Wed, a new release for the Fourth of July holiday, brought in $17.8 million. Considering that the film sucks and had to take on some serious competition, I must admit that I am impressed the Robin Williams comedy earned even that. Warner Bros., however, did expect earnings such as this, making me wonder if they are not only optimists but realists.
Add to Heffee!
