Article by: By Bridget Byrne
<!-- ult -->Facing no new wide releases, National Treasure earned an estimated $17.1 million, bringing it's 3 week haul to $110.2 million and becoming the 18th movie this year to gross more than $100 million.
The only new entry in the top ten was Close in 6<SUP>th</SUP> placer. with Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Julie Roberts and Clive Owen earning $7.7 million.
Shy of the 50% drop was the holiday comedy Christmas with the Kranks (down 46% in its second week) with $11.7 million in second place, and chug-along kiddy tale The Polar Express (down 43%in its 4th week) with $11 million in third place.
4th place was one of the year's genuine hits both critically and commercially The Incredibles. The PG rated Disney/Pixar release did slip 61% but that's credible in its fifth week while losing 275 sites.
In fifth place The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie lost 56% of their previous weekend's audience, but 'toon made $7.8 million to bring its three week gross to $68.3 million.
In 7th place Oliver Stone's Alexander suffered another wound after its almost stone dead opening last weekend. The very expensive dropped 65% earning just $4.7 to bring is gross just $29.6 million.
Overall as holiday shopping gained momentum and football crowded the television channels, it was a weak weekend at the theater ticket counters. Overall the top twelve movies grossed an estimated $80.2 million, down a major 46.8% from last weekend's naturally busier Thanksgiving business.
<!-- ult -->Facing no new wide releases, National Treasure earned an estimated $17.1 million, bringing it's 3 week haul to $110.2 million and becoming the 18th movie this year to gross more than $100 million.
The only new entry in the top ten was Close in 6<SUP>th</SUP> placer. with Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Julie Roberts and Clive Owen earning $7.7 million.
Shy of the 50% drop was the holiday comedy Christmas with the Kranks (down 46% in its second week) with $11.7 million in second place, and chug-along kiddy tale The Polar Express (down 43%in its 4th week) with $11 million in third place.
4th place was one of the year's genuine hits both critically and commercially The Incredibles. The PG rated Disney/Pixar release did slip 61% but that's credible in its fifth week while losing 275 sites.
In fifth place The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie lost 56% of their previous weekend's audience, but 'toon made $7.8 million to bring its three week gross to $68.3 million.
In 7th place Oliver Stone's Alexander suffered another wound after its almost stone dead opening last weekend. The very expensive dropped 65% earning just $4.7 to bring is gross just $29.6 million.
Overall as holiday shopping gained momentum and football crowded the television channels, it was a weak weekend at the theater ticket counters. Overall the top twelve movies grossed an estimated $80.2 million, down a major 46.8% from last weekend's naturally busier Thanksgiving business.
