The new flicks bumped the previous weekend's top
movie, "The Forgotten," to third place with $12 million, raising its 10-day
total to $38.3 million.
"Woman, Thou Art Loosed," starring Kimberly Elise as a woman traumatized by
childhood sexual abuse who lands on Death Row, opened at No. 6 with $2.5
million. Adapted from the book by Texas church leader T.D. Jakes, the movie
opened in narrower release of 408 theaters, about a tenth of the number for
"Shark Tale."
"I (Heart) Huckabees," an ensemble comedy from David O. Russell ("Three
Kings"), had a spectacular debut in limited release, taking in $300,062 in four
New York City and Los Angeles theaters. The movie averaged a whopping $75,016,
compared with $12,226 in 4,016 cinemas for "Shark Tale."
"Huckabees," whose cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin, Jason
Schwartzman, Naomi Watts, Jude Law and Mark Wahlberg, gradually expands to
nationwide release through October.
"Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry," a documentary from George Butler
("Pumping Iron"), opened weakly with $303,000 in 160 theaters for a $1,894
average. The movie chronicles the Democratic presidential candidate's Vietnam
service and his subsequent stand against the war.
"Shark Tale" and "Ladder 49" lifted Hollywood out of its box-office doldrums.
The top 12 movies took in $104.4 million, up 30 percent from the same weekend
last year, the first increase after four straight weekends of declining revenue.
"The box-office has been flatlining for the last month. September was
absolutely abysmal," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker
Exhibitor Relations. "So 'Shark Tale' and to a lesser extent 'Ladder 49' really
jump-started the marketplace."
If numbers hold when final figures are released Monday, "Shark Tale" would
set a record among October debuts, topping the $48.1 million opening of last
year's "Scary Movie 3."
"Shark Tale" overcame so-so reviews, with some critics calling it a retread
of the "Shrek" movies and the fish tale "Finding Nemo."
But after a long drought for children's movies, families flooded theaters for
"Shark Tale." Adding to the luster was the movie's A-list voice cast, including
Will Smith, Robert De Niro, Renee Zellweger, Angelina Jolie, Martin Scorsese and
Jack Black.
While "Shark Tale" did not approach the $70.3 million debut of last year's
"Finding Nemo," it was distributor DreamWorks' second-best opening ever behind
the $108 million premiere of "Shrek 2."
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters,
according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "Shark Tale," $49.1 million.
2. "Ladder 49," $22.8 million.
3. "The Forgotten," $12 million.
4. "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," $3.4 million.
5. "Mr. 3000," $2.6 million.
6. "Woman, Thou Art Loosed," $2.5 million.
7. "Shaun of the Dead," $2.4 million.
8. "Resident Evil: Apocalypse," $2.3 million.
9. "First Daughter," $2.15 million.
10. "Cellular," $2 million.