Kenny Guido
Well-known member
Green open for ogre's 3rd tale
Email this story
Printer friendly format
May 21, 2007
The big green ogre keeps getting bigger, The Associated Press reports.
"Shrek the Third" took in $122 million in its first weekend, breaking the franchise's own record for best debut ever for an animated film, according to studio estimates yesterday.
The latest adventure of the ogre shot past 2004's "Shrek 2," the previous record-holder for animated openings with $108 million. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount, "Shrek the Third" was the third-biggest debut ever, coming in behind the $151.1 million of this month's "Spider-Man 3" and the $135.6 million gross of last summer's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
Executives at DreamWorks Animation and Paramount had expected "Shrek the Third" to open more in range with the debut of "Shrek 2." Strong business across the board lifted it well above projections.
The movie reunites Mike Myers, the voice of the lovably gruff ogre, and co-stars Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas. Justin Timberlake joins the cast, providing the voice of the future King Arthur, an awkward teen Shrek grooms to rule the land.
After ruling the box office for two weekends, Sony's "Spider-Man 3" slipped to second place with $28.5 million, raising its domestic total to $281.9 million. Worldwide, "Spider-Man 3" has taken in $747 million.
"Shrek the Third" will have a short reign as the No. 1 movie.
On Friday, Disney releases "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," with Johnny Depp returning as Jack Sparrow in the franchise's third installment. Box-office analysts say "At World's End" has a shot at breaking the debut record of "Spider-Man 3," but faces stiff competition from the Spidey sequel and "Shrek the Third."
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC.
1. Shrek the Third, $122 million.
2. Spider-Man 3, $28.5 million.
3. 28 Weeks Later, $5.15 million.
4. Disturbia, $3.7 million.
5. Georgia Rule, $3.5 million.
6. Fracture, $2.4 million.
7. Delta Farce $1.8 million.
8. The Invisible, $1.3 million.
9. Hot Fuzz, $1.26 million.
10. Waitress, $1.14 million.
May 21, 2007
The big green ogre keeps getting bigger, The Associated Press reports.
"Shrek the Third" took in $122 million in its first weekend, breaking the franchise's own record for best debut ever for an animated film, according to studio estimates yesterday.
The latest adventure of the ogre shot past 2004's "Shrek 2," the previous record-holder for animated openings with $108 million. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount, "Shrek the Third" was the third-biggest debut ever, coming in behind the $151.1 million of this month's "Spider-Man 3" and the $135.6 million gross of last summer's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
Executives at DreamWorks Animation and Paramount had expected "Shrek the Third" to open more in range with the debut of "Shrek 2." Strong business across the board lifted it well above projections.
The movie reunites Mike Myers, the voice of the lovably gruff ogre, and co-stars Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas. Justin Timberlake joins the cast, providing the voice of the future King Arthur, an awkward teen Shrek grooms to rule the land.
After ruling the box office for two weekends, Sony's "Spider-Man 3" slipped to second place with $28.5 million, raising its domestic total to $281.9 million. Worldwide, "Spider-Man 3" has taken in $747 million.
"Shrek the Third" will have a short reign as the No. 1 movie.
On Friday, Disney releases "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," with Johnny Depp returning as Jack Sparrow in the franchise's third installment. Box-office analysts say "At World's End" has a shot at breaking the debut record of "Spider-Man 3," but faces stiff competition from the Spidey sequel and "Shrek the Third."
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC.
1. Shrek the Third, $122 million.
2. Spider-Man 3, $28.5 million.
3. 28 Weeks Later, $5.15 million.
4. Disturbia, $3.7 million.
5. Georgia Rule, $3.5 million.
6. Fracture, $2.4 million.
7. Delta Farce $1.8 million.
8. The Invisible, $1.3 million.
9. Hot Fuzz, $1.26 million.
10. Waitress, $1.14 million.