Per Theater Chart is In the Loop

July 28, 2009

In the Loop lead the way on the per theater chart with an impressive average of $23,983, and with its reviews, it should be able to expand significantly. (500) Days of Summer landed in second place with an average of $19,244, which is about a third less than its opening weekend average. But it is now playing in 85 theaters, which is more than triple its opening weekend theater count, so this is a fantastic hold. Those were the only films to top $10,000 on the per theater chart, but The Ugly Truth came relatively close with $9,579.

The rest of the new releases ranged from strong, to weak, to disastrous. Shrink was strong with an average of $8,222 in two theaters, but its reviews suggest it won't last long. The Answer Man was weak with an average of $2,166 in six theaters, but it has been out on VoD for a month, so that's no surprise. Finally, there was How to be a Serial Killer, which flopped with a mere $899. However, I think the film has potential on the home market.

This past week also saw milestones reached for a few Per Theater Charts alumni:

• (500) Days of Summer hit it first milestone since last week... and it's second... and it's third. It appears we could have our first sleeper hit of the summer and this movie could reach $10 million, or more.
• Moon also reached $3 million over the weekend and while it's weekend box office numbers are slipping, it should still make it to $4 million with ease.
• Speaking of $4 million, The Hurt Locker topped $3 million and $4 million over the weekend and should do the same to $5 million by this time next week.
• Whatever Works has climbed its way to $4 million while it should last long enough to reach $5 million. That's as far as it will go, on the other hand,

Filed under: The Ugly Truth, (500) Days of Summer, The Hurt Locker, Whatever Works, Moon, In the Loop, Shrink, How to be a Serial Killer, The Answer Man