March 3-5, 2006
THTRS = Number of Screens
* Denotes new release.
Click on title to read CB Review
| 1. | Tyler Perry'sMadea's Family Reunion |
| $13,000,000 - Total: $48,099,000 | |
| LW: 1 WR: 2 THTRS: 2194 |
| 2. | 16 Blocks * |
| $11,655,000 - Total: $11,655,000 | |
| LW: N WR: 1 THTRS: 2706 |
| 3. | Eight Below |
| $10,268,000 - Total: $58,767,000 | |
| LW: 2 WR: 3 THTRS: 3122 |
| 4. | Ultraviolet * |
| $9,000,000 - Total: $9,000,000 | |
| LW: N WR: 1 THTRS: 2558 |
| 5. | Aquamarine * |
| $7,500,000 - Total: $7,500,000 | |
| LW: N WR: 1 THTRS: 2512 |
| 6. | The Pink Panther |
| $7,000,000 - Total: $69,785,000 | |
| LW: 3 WR: 4 THTRS: 3024 |
| 7. | Dave Chappelle's Block Party * |
| $6,516,000 - Total: $6,516,000 | |
| LW: N WR: 1 THTRS: 1200 |
| 8. | Date Movie |
| $5,125,000 - Total: $40,703,000 | |
| LW: 4 WR: 3 THTRS: 2603 |
| 9. | Curious George |
| $4,444,000 - Total: $49,227,000 | |
| LW: 5 WR: 4 THTRS: 2590 |
| 10. | Firewall |
| $3,605,000 - Total: $42,515,000 | |
| LW: 6 WR: 4 THTRS: 2212 |
America can't seem to get enough of Madea. On the other hand they do seem to have gotten their fill of going to the movies in general. Have the first two months of box office rebounding in 2006 been a fluke?
Last weekend Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion absolutely stole the show with the highest grossing opening of 2006. It's still number one this weekend but with only $13 million it's the lowest number one so far this year and, indeed, in quite a while. The real question here though, is how Madea managed to stay on top in the presence of four newly released films.
Great things weren't expected from Dave Chappelle's Block Party in the numbers department. Despite rave reviews from critics, with only 1200 screens and a semi-documentary format it was up to Chappelle fans to turn out en masse. They made a good showing, as Chappelle came in number two in per theater sales, but with so few screens it wasn't enough to move past the number seven slot. No surprise it couldn't unseat Madea.
Aquamarine did well enough thanks mostly to its oversexed preteen idol leading actresses and a massive (and deceitfully innocuous) marketing push from the likes of Disney and Nickelodeon. I imagine if parents knew what was really in store for their 7-11 year olds they might have though better of taking them. Still, they went, handing the movie a spot at number five. Again, hardly a match for the mad black woman.
Ultraviolet is the worst reviewed movie of the year and it's trailer sealed the deal, at least in my book. Sci-fi/action fans, desperate for something to wash the bad taste of Aeon Flux out of their minds decided to give it a whirl anyway. I managed number 4.
The biggest loser this weekend, and frankly America's biggest failure at the box office, was 16 Blocks. It has action/drama vet Bruce Willis, the highly praised up-and-coming Mos Def, and a strong backing from movie critics across the board. And yet, it only pulled in a weak $11 million dollars. This movie should have easily triumphed over Madea and it's place at number two completely baffles me.
Overall, this weekend is not a good sign for the box office. If there had been a lack of any good films it might have been different, but there were a couple to choose from. Don't go blaming the Oscars either. Last year Oscar weekend was the same as any other and there was no reason it should have had a different effect this year.
Next week Matthew McConaughey's Failure to Launch and Tim Allen's remake of The Shaggy Dog open wide. Both of those power hitters should not only top Madea but also make box office gold. If they fail to accomplish both, it may be the sign that 2006 is in for a rockier ride than we thought.
