This Weekend in Box Office History: Pre-Thanksgiving Weekend
The weekend before Thanksgiving is prime box office real estate. Here's a look back:
5 Years Ago - 2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire blazed into 3,858 locations and conjured $102.7 million, which a new November record and the franchise's top-grossing opening weekend yet. There was also room for Walk the Line to set a new music biography opening record, pulling in $22.3 million at 2,961 venues. • Weekend Report: Harry Potter's 'Goblet' Runneth Over with Cash
10 Years Ago - 2000
This was the biggest pre-Thanksgiving weekend yet, featuring four new releases that received at least a decent sampling. People flocked to see Jim Carrey in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Christmas comedy drew $55.1 million at 3,127 locations, which was the biggest opening yet for a children's book adaptation as well as for a Christmas movie. Animated sequel Rugrats in Paris: The Movie came in second with $22.7 million at 2,934 locations, which was a step down from its predecessor but solid nonetheless. The 6th Day generated $13 million at 2,516 locations, which was flabby for Arnold Schwarzenegger, continuing his fade-out from movie stardom. Ben Afflect-Gwyneth Paltrow drama Bounce posted a surprisingly decent $11.4 million at 1,918 locations. • Weekend Chart
15 Years Ago - 1995
The James Bond franchise was revived with Pierce Brosnan's debut as the character. GoldenEye raked in $26.2 million at 2,667 locations, which was easily a franchise-best start, even in terms of estimated attendance. Jim Carrey's Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls collapsed by 48 percent but still made $19.5 million for a strong $65 million in ten days. A good amount of people elected to see The American President, which garnered $10 million at 1,508 locations, but not that many were interested in The Olsen Twins' It Takes Two, which grossed $5.6 million at 1,581 locations. • Weekend Chart
20 Years Ago - 1990
The reigning champ entered the ring for the fifth time and was pummeled by a little kid. Home Alone surprised the industry, claiming the top spot with a sizable $17.1 million opening at 1,202 locations, while Rocky V disappointed with $14.1 million at 2,053 locations. Meanwhile, the mice of The Rescuers Down Under made nary a peep with $3.5 million at 1,230 locations. • Weekend Chart
25 Years Ago - 1985
Despite four new nationwide releases, this was a quiet weekend as audiences bided their time until Rocky IV. King Solomon's Mines led the way with $5 million at 1,122 locations (or the equivalent of around $11 million adjusted for ticket price inflation). One Magic Christmas mustered $2.7 million at 824 locations, Starchaser: The Legend of Orin was ignored with $1.6 million at 1,020 locations, and Bad Medicine managed $1.3 million at 731 locations. • Weekend Chart
Weekend Reports for This Timeframe in Past Years:
• 2009 - 'New Moon' Opens with Deafening Howl
• 2008 - Box Office Enters 'Twilight' Zone
• 2007 - 'Beowulf' Can't Fell Box Office Blahs
• 2006 - Penguins Tip-Tap Past Bond
• 2005 - Harry Potter's 'Goblet' Runneth Over with Cash
• 2004 - 'National Treasure,' 'SpongeBob' Clean Up
5 Years Ago - 2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire blazed into 3,858 locations and conjured $102.7 million, which a new November record and the franchise's top-grossing opening weekend yet. There was also room for Walk the Line to set a new music biography opening record, pulling in $22.3 million at 2,961 venues. • Weekend Report: Harry Potter's 'Goblet' Runneth Over with Cash
10 Years Ago - 2000
This was the biggest pre-Thanksgiving weekend yet, featuring four new releases that received at least a decent sampling. People flocked to see Jim Carrey in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Christmas comedy drew $55.1 million at 3,127 locations, which was the biggest opening yet for a children's book adaptation as well as for a Christmas movie. Animated sequel Rugrats in Paris: The Movie came in second with $22.7 million at 2,934 locations, which was a step down from its predecessor but solid nonetheless. The 6th Day generated $13 million at 2,516 locations, which was flabby for Arnold Schwarzenegger, continuing his fade-out from movie stardom. Ben Afflect-Gwyneth Paltrow drama Bounce posted a surprisingly decent $11.4 million at 1,918 locations. • Weekend Chart
15 Years Ago - 1995
The James Bond franchise was revived with Pierce Brosnan's debut as the character. GoldenEye raked in $26.2 million at 2,667 locations, which was easily a franchise-best start, even in terms of estimated attendance. Jim Carrey's Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls collapsed by 48 percent but still made $19.5 million for a strong $65 million in ten days. A good amount of people elected to see The American President, which garnered $10 million at 1,508 locations, but not that many were interested in The Olsen Twins' It Takes Two, which grossed $5.6 million at 1,581 locations. • Weekend Chart
20 Years Ago - 1990
The reigning champ entered the ring for the fifth time and was pummeled by a little kid. Home Alone surprised the industry, claiming the top spot with a sizable $17.1 million opening at 1,202 locations, while Rocky V disappointed with $14.1 million at 2,053 locations. Meanwhile, the mice of The Rescuers Down Under made nary a peep with $3.5 million at 1,230 locations. • Weekend Chart
25 Years Ago - 1985
Despite four new nationwide releases, this was a quiet weekend as audiences bided their time until Rocky IV. King Solomon's Mines led the way with $5 million at 1,122 locations (or the equivalent of around $11 million adjusted for ticket price inflation). One Magic Christmas mustered $2.7 million at 824 locations, Starchaser: The Legend of Orin was ignored with $1.6 million at 1,020 locations, and Bad Medicine managed $1.3 million at 731 locations. • Weekend Chart
Weekend Reports for This Timeframe in Past Years:
• 2009 - 'New Moon' Opens with Deafening Howl
• 2008 - Box Office Enters 'Twilight' Zone
• 2007 - 'Beowulf' Can't Fell Box Office Blahs
• 2006 - Penguins Tip-Tap Past Bond
• 2005 - Harry Potter's 'Goblet' Runneth Over with Cash
• 2004 - 'National Treasure,' 'SpongeBob' Clean Up
