Clint Eastwood's urban drama 'Gran Torino' has become the top-grossing film over the weekend, beating out 'Bride Wars' and 'The Unborn' at the North America box office.
- Jan 12, 2009
AceShowbiz - Opening wide across the North America for the first time on Friday, January 9, "Gran Torino" has got a turbo boost at the weekend box office. The suburban drama movie directed and starred by Clint Eastwood has climbed up to the top from the 14th place it was listed a week before by earning $29.5 million.
The more than $29 million bow sets a new record for Eastwood as it is by far the biggest opening of any Eastwood movie in wide release. The 78-year-old actor and director's previous best weekend was the $18-million bow of "Space Cowboys" in 2000. Meanwhile, his recently released "Changeling" has only pulled in $9.4 million during its first wide release weekend.
Telling a redemptive tale of a cynical Korean War veteran bent on reforming his next-door neighbor, an Asian teen who tries to steal his prized 1972 car, "Gran Torino" has been released in limited theaters since December 12, 2008. Accumulating from its limited release earning, it has grossed so far $40.5 million.
Following "Gran Torino" in second and third places are "Bride Wars" and "The Unborn" respectively. "Bride Wars", the romantic comedy of two bickering best friends starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway, has raked in $21.1 million, while "The Unborn", the David S. Goyer's supernatural thriller hauls in a bit less than "Bride Wars" with $19.8 million in its pocket.
Slipping to the fourth place is David Frankel-directed "Marley & Me". After two consecutive weeks staying at the top of the chart, the comedy movie starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston experiences a 53.1|percent| decline in sales, making it to gross only $11.4 million this weekend.
Brad Pitt-starrer "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" rounds up the top five. The traveler tale drama brings in another $9.2 million to the total gross of $94.1 million after three weeks of screening. Meanwhile, newcomer "Not Easily Broken" has debuted ninth, bringing in $5.3 million over the weekend.
Top Ten Movies at Weekend Box Office for January 9 - 11:
- "Gran Torino" - $29.5 million
- "Bride Wars" - $21.1 million
- "The Unborn" - $19.8 million
- "Marley & Me" - $11.4 million
- "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - $9.2 million
- "Bedtime Stories" - $8.8 million
- "Valkyrie" - $6.6 million
- "Yes Man" - $6 million
- "Not Easily Broken" - $5.3 million
- "Seven Pounds" - $3.8 million
