KingJeremy
12-22-2002, 07:26 PM
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" one of the most keenly awaited movies of the year, easily topped the North American box office in its first weekend of release, posting stronger numbers than its predecessor did last year, its studio said Sunday.
The middle installment in New Zealand director Peter Jackson fantasy trilogy earned $61.5 million for the three days beginning Dec. 20 -- a 25 percent improvement on the first weekend performance by "The Fellowship of the Ring."
The $270-million "Lord of the Rings" series is being released by New Line Cinema, a unit of AOL Time Warner Inc .
Since opening Wednesday with $26 million, a sum that set a new benchmark for a single day in December, "Two Towers" has tallied $101.5 million after five days. This represents a 33 percent boost from the first five days of "Fellowship," a studio spokesman said.
"Fellowship" was the previous holder of the December one-day record, opening with $18.2 million, also on the Wednesday before Christmas. It earned $47.2 million in its first weekend, and had pulled in $101.5 million after its first five days. It eventually grossed $313 million in North America, and about $550 million overseas.
"Two Towers" was playing on 6,633 screens in 3,622 theaters across North America; "Fellowship" played on 5,700 screens in 3,359 venues.
The biggest film so far this year has been "Spider-Man," which earned a record $115 million in its first three days, and ended up with $404 million domestically.
As with "Fellowship," the new film is a large ensemble piece consisting of chase sequences and battle scenes. It stars Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who must destroy a gold ring that possesses evil powers. The cast also *******s Sir Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen and Christopher Lee.
"Two Towers" last Thursday received two Golden Globe nominations, including best drama. The Globes are a closely watched barometer of Oscar success.
Three other films, all Friday releases, also entered the fray. "Two Weeks Notice," a Warner Bros. romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant opened at No. 2 with $14.4 million for its first three days. Director Martin Scorsese Miramax period drama "Gangs of New York," bowed at No. 4 with $9.1 million. The Paramount family cartoon "The Wild Thornberrys" opened at No. 6 with $6.1 million.
Last weekend's champion, Columbia Pictures' Jennifer Lopez romance "Maid in Manhattan," slipped to No. 3 with $11 million.
Warner Bros. is also a unit of AOL Time Warner. Miramax Films is a unit of Walt Disney Co. Paramount Pictures is a unit of Viacom Inc. Columbia Pictures, which also released "Spider-Man," is a unit of Sony Corp.
The middle installment in New Zealand director Peter Jackson fantasy trilogy earned $61.5 million for the three days beginning Dec. 20 -- a 25 percent improvement on the first weekend performance by "The Fellowship of the Ring."
The $270-million "Lord of the Rings" series is being released by New Line Cinema, a unit of AOL Time Warner Inc .
Since opening Wednesday with $26 million, a sum that set a new benchmark for a single day in December, "Two Towers" has tallied $101.5 million after five days. This represents a 33 percent boost from the first five days of "Fellowship," a studio spokesman said.
"Fellowship" was the previous holder of the December one-day record, opening with $18.2 million, also on the Wednesday before Christmas. It earned $47.2 million in its first weekend, and had pulled in $101.5 million after its first five days. It eventually grossed $313 million in North America, and about $550 million overseas.
"Two Towers" was playing on 6,633 screens in 3,622 theaters across North America; "Fellowship" played on 5,700 screens in 3,359 venues.
The biggest film so far this year has been "Spider-Man," which earned a record $115 million in its first three days, and ended up with $404 million domestically.
As with "Fellowship," the new film is a large ensemble piece consisting of chase sequences and battle scenes. It stars Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who must destroy a gold ring that possesses evil powers. The cast also *******s Sir Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen and Christopher Lee.
"Two Towers" last Thursday received two Golden Globe nominations, including best drama. The Globes are a closely watched barometer of Oscar success.
Three other films, all Friday releases, also entered the fray. "Two Weeks Notice," a Warner Bros. romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant opened at No. 2 with $14.4 million for its first three days. Director Martin Scorsese Miramax period drama "Gangs of New York," bowed at No. 4 with $9.1 million. The Paramount family cartoon "The Wild Thornberrys" opened at No. 6 with $6.1 million.
Last weekend's champion, Columbia Pictures' Jennifer Lopez romance "Maid in Manhattan," slipped to No. 3 with $11 million.
Warner Bros. is also a unit of AOL Time Warner. Miramax Films is a unit of Walt Disney Co. Paramount Pictures is a unit of Viacom Inc. Columbia Pictures, which also released "Spider-Man," is a unit of Sony Corp.