Friday Box Office Analysis (3/18)

The Ring followed the Scream franchise, as Ring Two came in with $15.5 million on Friday, averaging $4,646 per-screen in 3,331 theaters. In comparison, Scream 2 opened in December of 1997 to $12.3 million, but averaged an equivalent $4,621 per-screen in 2,663 theaters (adjusted for ticket inflation, though, and that would?ve been nearly $17.0 million/$6,000 a screen today). Similarly, The Grudge opened last October and grossed $14.6 million on Friday in 3,245 theaters, averaging $4,486 per-screen.

The Grudge had a slight 7% second day increase while Scream 2 fell 1%, and Scream 3 increased 4% in February of 2000. The opening night rush factor might be there like with Scream, especially since it is a sequel, and The Grudge was a lone installment (even though it was based on another entry). Daredevil had also opened to $15.3 million in February of 2004, averaging $4,414 per-screen. That flick dropped 1% on Saturday, leading to a $40.3 million weekend frame. There should be similar results this weekend (with a slight Sat increase or decrease), putting Ring Two at about $40 - 41 million.

Disney?s title networking didn?t quite work with The Ice Princess, as despite being closely named to their own entry, Princess Diaries, the family flick came in leagues below. Booked in 2,501 theaters, the movie brought in $2.2 million, averaging just $866 per-screen. The opening wasn?t that far off from MGM?s girl picture, Sleepover, which took in $1.7 million for a $781 average. That movie opened last summer and collapsed throughout the weekend, and posted a dead $4.2 million for three days. The Ice Princess is likely to have a Saturday increase relevant to Disney?s Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, in the realm of 40%. A Saturday take in the area of $3.0 million could be in store, with a Sunday holdup that should put the weekend at around $7.5 million.