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Craig Younkin
Weekend Box Office Analysis (May 20 - 22)
By Lee Tistaert Published May 22, 2005
A 40% improvement {over Episode II} would place Episode III at a total of $430 million, but if everyone did rush out, its total might end up slightly south of $400 million even with diehard fans and multiple viewings.
Revenge of the Sith blew Attack of the Clones out of the water over the weekend, coming in with a mammoth $108.5 million in estimated ticket sales. Playing in 3,661 theaters ? the widest release for a Star Wars entry ? the third pequel averaged an amazing $29,637 per-screen, and has accumulated an unbelievable $158.5 million since its Thursday release (with midnight showings included). The film debuted on Thursday to a record $50.1 million (the biggest single day gross ever), with $16.5 million of that coming from its midnight screenings in 2900 theaters (which put its theoretical Thursday tally at roughly $33.6 million and $9,178/screen). If there hadn't been midnight shows, some of that abnormal stampede would have likely been shifted to later-Thursday, which makes it hard to officially separate the difference in traffic.
In comparison, Attack of the Clones had debuted on Thursday to $30.1 million and $9,535 per-screen ? but with an additional $6.2 million from midnight shows, it captured $36.3 million. Episode II had finished the three-day weekend with $80.1 million and $25,317 per-screen (and $110.2 million four-day), and finished its domestic run with $310.7 million (including its IMAX run).
Sith is running 40% ahead of Clones, but since everyone had been waiting for Star Wars this year, Episode III might end up being even more front-loaded. A 40% improvement would place Episode III at a domestic total of roughly $430 million, but if everyone did rush out, its total might end up slightly south of $400 million even with diehard fans and multiple viewings.
It should be taken into account that Episode II had to contend with Spider-Man after it had set a record for the biggest three-day opening at $114.8 million ($31,769/screen). In its second week (Memorial Day weekend), Attack of the Clones fell 40% with Spidey in the ring. Episode III does not face off with any such monsters, but with most moviegoers agreeing that this year has been less than fantastic, the rush for something special could be more substantial.
Episode I finished with $431.1 million, but it was much more family friendly than Episode III (and Star Wars hadn't been around for sixteen years). With its very dark nature, the third prequel might turn off interest from some parents looking to take their children to a light and fun movie, and may see its traffic turn to more of the older Star Wars fans who can stomach the material.
Episode I also premiered before DVDs were popular (and was before the huge wave of pirated copies and internet scandals), and so some of Episode III's success could rest in the DVD sales (the Star Wars DVD set grossed $215 million in 2004 alone). Regardless of its durability, the first day box office record will likely stand for a long time. It's hard to think of any movie currently in production or scheduled for release that could challenge that record.
In comparison, Attack of the Clones had debuted on Thursday to $30.1 million and $9,535 per-screen ? but with an additional $6.2 million from midnight shows, it captured $36.3 million. Episode II had finished the three-day weekend with $80.1 million and $25,317 per-screen (and $110.2 million four-day), and finished its domestic run with $310.7 million (including its IMAX run).
Sith is running 40% ahead of Clones, but since everyone had been waiting for Star Wars this year, Episode III might end up being even more front-loaded. A 40% improvement would place Episode III at a domestic total of roughly $430 million, but if everyone did rush out, its total might end up slightly south of $400 million even with diehard fans and multiple viewings.
It should be taken into account that Episode II had to contend with Spider-Man after it had set a record for the biggest three-day opening at $114.8 million ($31,769/screen). In its second week (Memorial Day weekend), Attack of the Clones fell 40% with Spidey in the ring. Episode III does not face off with any such monsters, but with most moviegoers agreeing that this year has been less than fantastic, the rush for something special could be more substantial.
Episode I finished with $431.1 million, but it was much more family friendly than Episode III (and Star Wars hadn't been around for sixteen years). With its very dark nature, the third prequel might turn off interest from some parents looking to take their children to a light and fun movie, and may see its traffic turn to more of the older Star Wars fans who can stomach the material.
Episode I also premiered before DVDs were popular (and was before the huge wave of pirated copies and internet scandals), and so some of Episode III's success could rest in the DVD sales (the Star Wars DVD set grossed $215 million in 2004 alone). Regardless of its durability, the first day box office record will likely stand for a long time. It's hard to think of any movie currently in production or scheduled for release that could challenge that record.
'Revenge of the Sith' Articles
- Craig's Revenge of the Sith review B
May 22, 2005 A breathtaking visual journey to tyranny, suffering, and death. -- Craig Younkin - Scott's Revenge of the Sith review B
May 21, 2005 This kind of story is all about the parts where the world comes crashing down, and Revenge of the Sith executes these parts with style. -- Scott Sycamore
