'Clash of the Titans' leads record-breaking Easter weekend

(News Terupdate) - It was a record Easter weekend at the box office thanks to robust performances by "Clash of the Titans," Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too?" and the animated "How to Train Your Dragon," which held on well during its second weekend in theaters.

All told, the three films helped lead the box office higher than last year's frame, when "Fast and Furious" opened to $70.9 million. (Last year at this time was not Easter weekend.)

"Clash of the Titans" earned $61.4 million for the three days, putting its total, including Thursday's midnight showings, at an estimated $64 million (per-screen average of $16,256). That represents an Easter weekend record, topping "Scary Movie 4," which made $40.2 million in 2006.

Unfortunately for "Clash," co-produced and co-financed by Legendary Pictures, the movie earned a weak B score from Cinemascore, which will likely translate into a steep drop-off next weekend. In contrast, "Why Did I Get Married Too?" generated an A from Cinemascore, which means Perry's eighth movie could build off this weekend's solid $30 million (per-screen average of $13,991). The film marks the second-best opening for a Perry movie, behind last year's "Madea Goes to Jail," which claimed $41 million.

"How to Train Your Dragon," with a weekend take of $29.2 million, dropped only 33 percent during its second weekend in theaters. The animated Dreamworks flick has now generated $92 million after 10 days of release. Its 3-D presence was still a factor at IMAX screenings, which accounted for 12.5 percent of the film's total weekend gross.

Miley Cyrus's "Last Song" generated $16.2 million for the weekend, which coupled with its Wednesday opening grossed $25.5 million in its first five days of release. And "Alice in Wonderland" generated another $8.2 million in its fifth weekend in release. With 3-D screens dominated by "Clash" and "Dragon," "Alice" experienced its steepest drop since it opened. However, the film has now earned $309 million and more than $700 million worldwide.

"Hot Tub Time Machine" landed in sixth in its second weekend in theaters. The R-rated '80s comedy grossed an estimated $8 million, falling a decent 43 percent to put its cumulative total at $27.8 million.

"The Bounty Hunter" grossed $6.2 million for seventh place and a new overall gross of $48.9 million.

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" landed in eighth place, earning $5.5 million to put its three-weekend take at $46.2 million.

Ninth spot went to "She's Out of My League," which grossed another $1.4 million for a four-weekend gross of $28.6 million.

"Shutter Island" took another $1.4 million to put its seven-weekend gross at $123 million. Box office for the weekend was up 18 percent over the same frame last year.

Next weekend, Tina Fey and Steve Carell will test their comedic mettle when "Date Night" hits screens. Stay tuned and Happy Easter.

Source : CNN

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