THE BOX OFFICE REPORT: JULY 15

Just call it the calm before the storm. Because, as some lady in a cat suit keeps saying in the innumerable TV spots, a storm is coming….

1. Ice Age: Continental Drift - $46.6 (first week)

Well, I wasn’t too far off; although I did think that the kids would come out a bit more then they did for the fourth film in the Ice Age franchise. Both Brave and Madagascar 3 opened north of $60 million and this entry didn’t hit $50 in its first three days. This just means that it won’t match and certainly won’t beat out the other two kid-friendly flicks and will end up last for the animated features when all is said and done (unless we are also throwing in the August release Paranorman, which we won’t know about for some time. The one positive thing going for the prehistoric animals here is the $339 million that it’s already made internationally. That’s a really large number that when all is said and done will carry this Ice Age flick over the $500 million mark, just like the second and third movies, which crazy as it sounds, earned $655 and $883 million respectively! This is an extremely lucrative franchise (the film’s are all budgeted just south of $100 million) and I’d be shocked if they didn’t get the gang together a fifth timed in a few years.

2. The Amazing Spider-Man – $34.6 ($200.5 total)

One film that did hold like I’d expected is Marc Webb’s retooling of the Spider-Man franchise. It hit the big $200 million mark after only its second weekend, a big accomplishment for the opening film of a potential trilogy (after the opening weekend, it was announced that a new trilogy was being set in motion). I think this kind of thing should be expected as you can better believe that we will see a new Batman film within the next 5-6 years, the next Fantastic Four film has already been announced, and reboot after reboot will occur until we stop going to the movies. And you damn sure know that we won’t.

3. Ted - $22.4 ($159.2 total)

It’s amazing how well this film has retained the audience it has. It has to be the good word-of-mouth and the “Family Guy” fans doubling up a bit, because this bad boy is tracking higher than the original Hangover, and for me, that’s preposterous. But again, good for Seth Macfarlane. Enjoy that new car. And boat. And house. And whatever else you’re gonna buy…

4. Brave – $11.1 ($196.1 total)

Pixar’s ginger heroine is holding strong and will easily clear $200 million and it just might catch Madagascar 3 when all is said and done.

5. Savages – $9.4 ($32.1 total)

Oliver Stone’s drug-n-violence pic held some business from last week and it continues to be on pace to become a marginal success.

6. Magic Mike – $9.0 ($91.8 total)

Should be hitting the century mark in the next week or so… just an incredible story overall. Congrats to Tatum and Soderbergh both.

7. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection – $5.6 ($55.6 total)

Now it’s looking like it might hit #2 on the Tyler Perry rankings. Ugh. Moving on…

8. Katy Perry: Parts of Me – $3.8 ($18.6 total)

Katy Perry is profitable! Whoda thunk…

9. Moonrise Kingdom – $3.7 ($32.5 total)

Another strong weekend from Wes Anderson. Expect it to hang around the 8-10 slot for most of the summer.

10. Madagascar 3 – $3.7 ($203.9 total)

Another film crosses the $200 million mark. That makes five, thus far (with Brave definitely following and Ted likely following). That would make seven. That’s the same total as last year. ALL of last year. It certainly does look like things are on the up and up at the Box Office.

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I know I don’t have to tell you what’s coming on Friday. Batman is finally hitting theaters again with The Dark Knight Rises. It’s predecessor raked in a cool $158 million in its opening weekend and it seems like anticipation is even higher for this one. The big question is whether or not it can be only the second film ever to gross $200 million in an opening weekend and if it can top The Avengers‘ $207.4 million opening. I know that as recently as yesterday, shows were well sold out here in Los Angeles at my local theaters in both IMAX and regular screens and I can safely assume that it will top both of the previous Batman offerings. And it’s really hard to bet against Christopher Nolan at all. When we meet here again next Sunday/Monday, I think we will be looking at a new Box Office Opening Weekend Champ. And his name will be Wayne.

Until then…