Film News: ‘Immortals’ Debut Wins Weekend Box Office

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CHICAGO – After two weeks of the animated feature film “Puss in Boots” holding the box office crown, this week the new film “Immortals” took the crown. Earning an estimated $32 million, the action packed mythological film easily brought in enough to be deemed number one.

The solid showing for “Immortals” comes a few weeks before the holiday season’s movies really start to come to theaters, with more action packed films, along with possible award season winners coming to theaters. The win for “Immortals” is a nice sign for studios that have non-animated/family films coming out as “Puss in Boots” seemed to show that these types of films may be the only ones that do well in theaters this year.

Coming in with $26 million, good enough for second place, was the new Adam Sandler film “Jack and Jill,” a film in which Sandler plays both the male and female leads. The comedy did well for itself on opening weekend and shows that Sandler’s name alone can still sell tickets.

The last new release, “J. Edgar” came in with $11.5 million, good enough for fifth place behind “Puss in Boots” and “Tower Heist” which brought in $25.5 million and 13.2 million respectively.

While “Immortals” did well for itself this week, don’t expect that title, or any of the other current releases at number one again next week. Even the new release “Happy Feet Two” most likely stands no chance to the wedding that might be the most anticipated of 2011 (look out Royal Wedding). Next week, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” officially hits theaters everywhere.

1. Immortals— $32 million — new
2. Jack and Jill— $26 million — new
3. Puss in Boots — $25.5 million – down 23% — $108.8 million total
4. Tower Heist – $13.2 million – down 45% — $43.9 million
5. J. Edgar— $11.5 million — new
6. A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas– $5.9 million – down 55% — $23.2 million
7. In Time — $4.2 million – down 45% — $30.7 million total
8. Paranormal Activity 3 – $3.6 million – down 57% — $100.8 million total
9. Footloose – $2.7 million – down 39% — $48.9 million total
10. Real Steel– $2 million – down 42% — $81.7 million total

By TIM MARTENS Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com tim@hollywoodchicago.com