Holiday Box Office: "On Any Given Sunday" Tops $14.2 Million at the Nation's Theaters

Strategic Insights -

Football drama "On Any Given Sunday" dominated the nation's holiday box office, securing the top spot with an estimated $14.2 million at 2,505 theaters from Friday to Sunday. Directed by Oliver Stone and starring Al Pacino as coach of a fictional Miami professional football team, the film performed in line with expectations following a comprehensive promotional campaign and fairly positive reviews. The three-day total surpassed $11 million for Oliver Stone's previous film, "Natural Born Killers," and marked the top opening weekend for a Stone film.

Key Takeaways:

  • "On Any Given Sunday" topped the nation's holiday box office with an estimated $14.2 million at 2,505 theaters from Friday to Sunday.
  • The film performed in line with expectations following an extensive promotional campaign and fairly positive reviews.
  • The three-day total represented the top opening weekend for a Stone film, surpassing $11 million for "Natural Born Killers."
  • Studio executives reported a strong positive response to the film, particularly among young female adults.
  • The film opened on Wednesday and has grossed $21.3 million in its first five days.
  • "The Talented Mr. Ripley" finished a close second with $13.8 million at 2,307 theaters on just Saturday and Sunday.
  • Sony's "Stuart Little" followed up impressively with $12.5 million at 2,900 theaters, finishing third.
  • Disney's "Toy Story 2" continued to generate solid business, with a 38-day total of over $177 million.
  • Universal's "Man on the Moon" opened with a decent $9 million at 2,068 sites, benefiting from positive reviews.
  • Disney's "Bicentennial Man" held up well, finishing seventh with $8.3 million at 2,767 theaters.
  • DreamWorks' "Galaxy Quest" opened solidly with $8.1 million at 2,412 screens.

Statistics:

  • "On Any Given Sunday" grossed $14.2 million at 2,505 theaters from Friday to Sunday.
  • The film's three-day total surpassed $11 million for Oliver Stone's previous film, "Natural Born Killers."
  • The film opened on Wednesday and has grossed $21.3 million in its first five days.
  • "Toy Story 2" has a 38-day total of over $177 million.
  • Universal's "Man on the Moon" opened with a decent $9 million at 2,068 sites.
  • Disney's "Bicentennial Man" finished seventh with $8.3 million at 2,767 theaters.
  • DreamWorks' "Galaxy Quest" opened with $8.1 million at 2,412 screens.

Sources:

  • UPI (Dec. 26)
  • Warner Bros.
  • Oliver Stone
  • Al Pacino
  • Matt Damon
  • Gwyneth Paltrow
  • Sony
  • Disney
  • Universal
  • Paramount
  • 20th Century Fox
  • COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)