Weekend Box Office: 'Ghost Protocol' On Top Of Weak Holiday Weekend

Box Office

by Gabe Toro
December 25, 2011 7:22 PM
12 Comments

"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"

Twas the night before and/or the night of Christmas, and all through the theaters, it was empty and chilly, no maintenance, no heaters. Most moviegoers selected the 'Ghost Protocol,' with the legend from "Legend" and that guy from "Paul." "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" couldn't beat the Tom Cruise sequel. Not even the Steven Spielberg-Peter Jackson collaboration could be its equal.

The fourth 'Mission: Impossible' returns former A-Lister Cruise's honor, even if by all accounts, after part three, this franchise looked like a goner. They bucked downward trends with Jeremy Renner and Paula's Patton, and by pretending the Burj Khalifa was just another building in Manhattan. The third sequel stands triumphant over a thick new holiday movie cluster, relaxing expectations for Cruise's next few blockbusters.

Coming in second was "Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows." But heat has dimmed from the first film, and these numbers are shallow. No one involved will be forced to move into a van, but Robert Downey Jr. is gonna need that next "Iron Man." The picture didn't freefall, so there could still be a part three, but who will show up if they skipped the one with Moriarity?

With the families in full force, kids happily got 'Chipwrecked.' But the latest "Alvin And The Chipmunks" underperformance has Fox executives perplexed. The last two films dropped under 37% in weekend two, but this one's 44% drop is slightly more cruel. While it might make financial sense for a part four from the mind of Ross Bagdasarian, it's likely most audiences would prefer a rusty-spoon Cesarian.

Sony overspent on "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," ignoring the sex explicit, the violence graphic and the language blue. The numbers suggest the film attracted young couples and singles, but Mom and Dad stayed away, as did anyone with wrinkles. Daniel Craig still can't open non-Bond films to strong numbers, and Rooney Mara remains a leading lady with no box office thunder.

Audiences worldwide love "The Adventures Of Tintin," but in America it had the appeal of an angry Hillary Clinton. The picture has passed $250 million worldwide quite fast, but the US-overseas split reminded people of "The Golden Compass." The producers insist a sequel will be come, but considering inflated 3D prices, these numbers are moribund.

Matt Damon exclaimed to audiences, "We Bought A Zoo!" But audiences probably spent their time shopping for shoes. Jason Bourne opened his checkbook for the sake of endangered animals, but in a downmarket economy, seize-the-day BS is dubious and banal. If audiences had the money they probably wouldn't buy a zoo, so why believe the best guy for the job is the dude from "Stuck On You"?

"New Year's Eve," "Arthur Christmas," "The Muppets" and "Hugo." Lots of money spent by studios, little profit to show. "Muppets" is the biggest winner, maybe we'll get another. But all the awards in the world can't keep "Hugo" from being a bummer. Off to FX and Cartoon Network for 'Arthur' and 'Eve,' and the back of DVD shelves where they'll be too far to retrieve.

Merry Christmas! (Totals Friday through Sunday)

1. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (Paramount) - $25.8 million ($58.2 mil.)
2. Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows (Warner Bros.) - $17.8 million ($76.6 mil.)
3. Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (Fox) - $13.3 million ($50.3 mil.)
4. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Sony) - $13 million ($21.4 mil.)
5. The Adventures Of Tintin (Paramount) - $8.8 million ($16.8 mil.)
6. We Bought A Zoo (Fox) - $7.8 million
7. New Year's Eve (Warner Bros.) - $3 million ($32 mil.)
8. Arthur Christmas (Sony) - $2.7 million ($44 mil.)
9. The Muppets (Disney) - $2 million ($76 mil.)
10. Hugo (Paramount) - $2 million ($44 mil.)

Box Office

More: Weekend Box-Office, We Bought A Zoo, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Adventures Of Tintin, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows

12 Comments

| Reply
PeppermintDick | December 26, 2011 7:08 PMReply

All I asked for Christmas was no El Toro articles. And yet I got one anyway. My anger management ther-rapist is going to be pissed I commented on his wall again.
Ms. Grotke (gabe's 8th grade lit teacher) | December 26, 2011 1:54 PMReply

@KT

It's THEN, not THAN.

ex. 1: I woke up and then went to the store.

ex. 2 : I'd rather you didn't read the article, than have you bitch about it after.
Mister Anti-CaCa | December 26, 2011 5:30 PM

Ms. Grotke, with all due respect to your teaching abilities, are you the reason Gabe can't write? 'Cause, really gurl, shoulda held da bitch back.
LINDSAY | December 26, 2011 4:15 PM

Ms. Grotke. I love you?
Adam | December 26, 2011 1:51 PMReply

Gabe, How did Young Adult hold up?
_____________________--OMFG | December 26, 2011 5:32 PM

$7,159,000....totalgross....numba 15 spot.....$1,750,000 weekend gross.........so poorly..........
KT | December 26, 2011 5:59 AMReply

"Another exceedingly annoying article by Gabe."

Than don't read it... better yet, don't comment.
Marcus J. | December 26, 2011 2:31 PM

she probably did it to give you something to bitch about as well.
Lindsay | December 26, 2011 2:06 AMReply

Another exceedingly annoying article by Gabe. Someone call his 8th grade Lit teacher, she'd be proud.
bah humbug | December 25, 2011 11:18 PMReply

Tom Cruise was never a former A-lister? Is that a joke, he is a forever A-lister. He still green lights 1oom dollar tentpoles just by being attached, and has several high profile projects in the works. Matt Damon may be the former A-lister.
concerned citizen kane | December 25, 2011 10:26 PMReply

yeah gabe, you're being a real boner-shrinker on christmas.
John | December 25, 2011 8:45 PMReply

It's Christmas Gabe, cheer the F@&K up