2012 makes epic worldwide box office debut
2012 makes epic box office debut
Monday, 16, Nov 2009 10:26
By Lewis Bazley.
New disaster movie 2012 has claimed one of the biggest box office openings of all time, with a $225 million (£134.8 million) worldwide debut this weekend.
The Roland Emmerich film, which stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Amanda Peet, took $65 million (£39 million) in its first weekend on release at the US box office to top the charts.
The Sony action epic also earned a massive $160 million (£95.9 million) globally to claim the fifth best worldwide opening ever, and the highest for a non-sequel.
"The opening number says that Roland Emmerich is an incredible filmmaker whose work resonates everywhere," said Sony president of worldwide distribution Rory Bruer.
"He has truly set a new bar with this film in regards to the amazing images and special effects, as well as the story."
Horror phenomenon Paranormal Activity and romantic comedy Couples Retreat both saw their total US box office takings pass the $100 million (£59.9 million) mark while dark drama Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire, experienced an impressive chart ascent.
The urban film rose from 12th to fourth, despite showing on just 174 screens; every other film in the top ten was shown in at least 2,000 cinemas.
The top ten films at the US box office are: (last week's position)
1 2012 (-)
2 A Christmas Carol (1)
3 The Men Who Stare At Goats (3)
4 Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire (12)
5 This Is It (2)
6 The Fourth Kind (4)
7 Couples Retreat (7)
8 Paranormal Activity (5)
9 Law Abiding Citizen (8)
10 The Box (6)