Scorsese thriller scared up $40.2 million
Paramount rolled out its Martin Scorsese thriller “Shutter Island” this weekend with solid results, scaring up an estimated $40.2 million at 2,991 playdates — the biggest opening for both Scorsese and star Leonardo DiCaprio.
As the only wide release, “Shutter Island” had no trouble overpowering the frame’s holdover crop, led by Warner Bros.’ “Valentine’s Day,” which fell to the No. 2 spot in its soph sesh, earning $17.2 million.
Meanwhile, 20th Century Fox’s holdover giant “Avatar” maintained a strong grip on the box office, grossing an estimated $16.1 million in its 10th frame for a domestic cume of $687.8 million, while the studio’s family-friendly offering “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” followed with $15.3 million, down 51% in its soph sesh for a cume of $58.5 million.
Universal’s “The Wolfman” lost a considerable amount of steam after a successful launch last weekend, dropping 69% with an estimated gross of $9.8 million. “Wolfman” opened to $35.6 million and has a cume of $50.3 million.
Overall, the frame’s top 10 gained 6% over the same weekend last year.
In limited release, Summit bowed its Roman Polanski mystery pic “The Ghost Writer” at four locations, grossing an estimated $179,000 for an impressive per-screen average of $44,750.
“Shutter Island” launched day-and-date at 462 locations in nine overseas territories, earning an estimated $9.1 million. The film’s top earnings came from Spain, where it grossed $3.4 million.
On the domestic front, tracking for the R-rated film was evenly split at 51% male and 49% female and played consistently among age groups 17 and up.
Par vice chair Rob Moore praised Scorsese and credited the director as one of the leading factors contributing to a healthy opening.
“It feels like a movie that garners a lot of attention in conversation,” Moore said. “I think the good thing about the way the film is positioned, for older audiences looking for movies in this genre, this movie now has a pretty clear playing field to run.”
Scorsese’s previous top opener, “The Departed,” earned $26.9 million in its first weekend in 2006, while DiCaprio’s best-opening film was Steven Spielberg’s 2003 pic “Catch Me if You Can” with $30.1 million. Both players typically see strong holdover performances. “The Departed,” Scorsese’s highest-grossing film so far, earned $132.4 million. “Titanic” still ranks as DiCaprio’s top earner with domestic totals reaching $600.8 million.
“Shutter Island” tells the story of two U.S. marshals, played by DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo, who investigate the case of a missing woman at a hospital for the criminally insane. Topnotch supporting cast includes Ben Kingsley and Michelle Williams. Pic screened out of competition at the Berlin Film Festival last week.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. “Shutter Island,” $40.2 million.
2. “Valentine’s Day,” $17.2 million.
3. “Avatar,” $16.1 million.
4. “Percy Jackson&the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” $15.3 million.
5. “The Wolfman,” $9.8 million.
6. “Dear John,” $7.3 million.
7. “The Tooth Fairy,” $4.5 million.
8. “Crazy Heart,” $3 million.
9. “From Paris With Love,” $2.5 million.
10. “Edge of Darkness,” $2.2 million.
[Credit: Variety / Hollywood.com]