'HSM3's $80+ million weekend opening

[ALIASd]

Posted: Sun., Oct. 26, 2008, 10:11am PT

'HSM 3' makes box office honor roll

'Saw V' cuts through competition to second spot

By Dade Hayes
Variety

Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” and Lionsgate’s “Saw V” divided and conquered the box office with opening weekends of $42 million and $30.5 million, respectively.

Total B.O. rose about 30% from the year-ago frame, according to studio estimates.

The top two pics entered record territory. “HSM3” is the biggest musical bow ever, while “Saw” franchise is just $2 million shy of eclipsing “Friday the 13th” to become the top-grossing horror series ever.

“High School” also raked in $40 million from 22 overseas markets. Disney said 35% of the world is yet to come.

'HSM 3' makes box office honor roll - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety

[goldenstate5]

It's clearly 42 million, so why does the headline say it's 80+ mil?...

[ALIASd]

See above. Now bolded for your convenience. Hope that helps.

[TheDisneyMagic]

Yer the 80+ is for international as well as within the USA.

I am not the biggest fan of this franchise but congratulations to them all, they have got a winner.

[sailerm]

Winner week one: Out of the top ten week two. I'm more interested in final grosses, not opening weekend.

[Melonballer]

Originally Posted by sailerm

Winner week one: Out of the top ten week two. I'm more interested in final grosses, not opening weekend.

I don't know. If Beverly Hills Chihuahua can stay number 1 for 2 weeks, I imagine HSM3 will still be in the top 10 next week.

let's see. Next week we have releases of Zack and Mirri Make a Porno and The Haunting of Molly Hartley. Hmmm, kind of doubt that they plus what is already out will push HSM3 out of the top ten.

[sailerm]

Well, perhaps "Out of the top ten" is an exaggeration, but i think most of the 12 year old girls have rushed to see this movie this weekend.

The dog film, has better cross appeal, thus longer legs ( i would hope).

[ALIASd]

Clearly you're unfamiliar with the repeatable cycle that has made the 'HSM' machine what it is worldwide so far.

You don't hit those kind of numbers with a single age group or single viewings.

But it was the painfully sincere kids of HSM3 who showed the most power. It not only broke records (it's also the top live-action G-rated film), it added even more cash to a franchise that has pumped $2 billion into Disney's coffers and likely ensured a fourth movie.

And while the HSM franchise isn't the draw of, say, Pixar's best animated fare, it has become a family favorite with a device that Hollywood isn't known for employing: earnestness.

"When we were making the jump to movies, we didn't want to suddenly give a wink to the camera or make them any less genuine," says Disney's Chuck Viane. "This has always been a franchise based on, frankly, kids dancing and having fun. We weren't going to mess with that."

No need to when HSM has spawned a Broadway musical, two No. 1 albums and ubiquitous merchandising.

That success, analysts say, comes from unexpected corners. "It may be about high school, but it's not high school kids who are turning out," says Gitesh Pandya of BoxOfficeGuru.com. "It's 7- and 8-year-old kids who want to be in high school."

'HSM 3' graduates to top of the box office - USATODAY.com

[ALIASd]

In Bad Times, Moviegoers Turn to Singing and Sawing

By Brooks Barnes
The New York Times
Published: October 26, 2008

LOS ANGELES — Bouncy teenagers and a psychotic killer — in separate movies, thankfully — packed multiplexes over the weekend, delivering a forceful message to Hollywood about what sells in difficult economic times.

The Walt Disney Company’s feel-good "High School Musical" franchise made the transition from television to the big screen with a level of strength that surprised some veteran box-office analysts. "High School Musical 3: SEnior Year" sold an estimated $82 million in tickets around the globe, according to the studio. The well-reviewed movie, anchored by the budding young star Zac Efron, sold $42 million in tickets in North America.

The movie’s opening gross instantly made it one of the most profitable films of the decade, good news for Disney as it tries to navigate the buzz saw of a global economic downturn. “High School Musical 3” cost an estimated $13 million to produce, a tiny budget considering that the average studio production costs $70.8 million, according to the Motion Picture Association of America.

“People really seem to want to get out and have some fun that is relatively affordable,” Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/27/mo...es&oref=slogin

[Aladdin]

Wow! That's a lot higher than what I expected. And I was one to Question Way Back Prior to HSM2, why that one didn't go into theaters, 1st.

[sir clinksalot]

I questioned that as well Aladdin. I was surprised HSM2 didn't at least make a limited theatrical run.

Not only did the movie make $80 million (worldwide) but once it hits Disney Channel you will have the "Sing Along", "Dance Along" and "Pop-Up" editions that will certainly bring in more viewers.

[hollywood1939]

Not surprised in the least. I also think that HSM2 should have hit theaters first but oh well. $2 billion dollars and counting sure helps cover that problem.

I don't see this movie dropping out of the top ten for a while. There will be for sure repeat (and more) viewers going back to see this movie.

[ALIASd]

Originally Posted by sir clinksalot

Not only did the movie make $80 million (worldwide) but once it hits Disney Channel you will have the "Sing Along", "Dance Along" and "Pop-Up" editions that will certainly bring in more viewers.

True, but only a long while after WD Home Entertainment brings in many millions of dollars more with the DVD releases. I'm thinking maybe February, you know the one with Valentines Day in it.