The Personalities Match-Up of the summer delivers a big win for "NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN" to lead the Friday Night Five. Industry sources now expect the adventure comedy to dominate "TERMINATOR: SALVATION" over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
The sequel to the Fox blockbuster, "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" exhibited plenty of interest from families, which propelled the film to earn an estimated $15.3 million from 4.096 sites.The film posted an opening day career best for its star Ben Stiller and director Shawn Levy, topping their previous record held by the first "Musuem."
Despite having a day advantage, Warner Bros.' "Terminator Salvation" fell behind "Smithsonian" with a second day tally of $14.8 million for a rising come of $28.2 million from 3,530 sites as the weekend continues.
While "Salvation" did post a higher screen average than "Smithsonian," industry pundits have given "Smithsonian" the edge to win the entire weekend battle. Another indication in the action comedy's favor is that less than powerful rise in box office for "Salvation" from Thursday to Friday, which may result in the film struggling to reach its projected $70 million mark over the weekend.
Rounding out the rest of the Friday Night Five during this incredibly packed weekend of filmed entertainment:
Last week's winner, the Ron Howard directed "Angels & Demons" starring Tom Hanks, discovered the path to third place with $6 million 3,527 theaters. Now entering its second weekend, Sony Pictures' hit adaptation of Dan Brown's controversial book has reached $66.1 million in North America.
Paramount's smash hit "Star Trek" landed in fourth position with $5.7 million from 4,053 theaters for a rising cume of $167.4 million at the start of its third week in release.
Another Paramount offering rounded out the Final Weekend Five with the Wayans Brothers' "Dance Flick" debuting with $3.9 million from first-day tally of $3.9 million 2,450 cinemas.
The Box Office Battle of 2009 continues. Follow the Personalities on Examiner.com for more Match-Up updates, as well as celebrity and industry news.
For theaters and ticket information on the weekend's releases, click on Fandango.
Comments
headline should be "museum"
After a certain point, writing Museum that many times is a challenge. Thanks for the correction, Sara!
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