From Variety Magazine
Photo Scan: The Divine Dutchie Sara (Paramount)
1) WEEKEND BOX OFFICE ESTIMATE
June 11 – 13, 2004
1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (WB)$35.1
Engagements:3,855
2. The Chronicles of Riddick (UNIV)….$24.6
Engagements:2,757
3. Shrek 2 (DREAMWORK)……………..$24.0
Engagements:3,843
4. The Stepford Wives (PAR)…………$22.2
Engagements:3,057
5. Garfield: The Movie (FOX)………..$21.7
Engagements:3,094
6. The Day After Tomorrow (FOX)……..$14.6
Engagements:3,210
7. Raising Helen (BV)……………….$3.8
Engagements:2,103
8. Troy (WB)……………………….$3.5
Engagements:2,003
9. Saved! (MGM/UA)………………….$2.6
Engagements: 589
10. Mean Girls (PAR)………………..$1.5
Engagements: 944
Harry Has Sophmore Slump
Variety
By Gabriel Snyder
Three new diverse pics, featuring servile spouses, a cartoon cat and
a guy who can see in the dark, hit their marks over the weekend by
getting their core audience into theaters. But the crowd of openers
seems to have taken a toll on Warner Bros.’ “Harry Potter and the
Prisoner of Azkaban,” which dropped a steeper-than-expected 63% from
its big opening last week to gross $35.1 million from 3,855 locations.
Despite its sophomore slump, “Potter’s” gold kept the wizard pic in
the No. 1 spot for a second week, but by a thinner margin than had
been expected.
In the most evenly matched weekend of the summer so far, Universal
Pictures’ “The Chronicles of Riddick” pulled in enough young males to
lead the pack of openers, grossing $24.6 million from 2,757
playdates.
Parmount’s “The Stepford Wives” debuted at No. 4 with a
better-than-expected $22.2 million from 3,057 theaters. Meanwhile
20th Century Fox’s “Garfield” played to a mostly family audience,
opening in the fifth spot with $21.7 million at 3,094 locations.
Par’s exit polling on “Stepford Wives,” meanwhile, showed it drew an
aud that was about 70% female and 60% over 25.
“I think the marketing campaign was very good. It reached the aud it
was intended to reach, the older females,” said Par distrib chief
Wayne Lewellen. “The films coming into this market were not targeting
that audience.”
