The re-release animated film stays atop the chart in its second week with $21.9 million, beating high profile new comers like 'Moneyball', 'Dolphin Tale', 'Abduction' and 'Killer Elite'.
- September 26, 2011
AceShowbiz -
The 3D re-release of 1994's "The Lion King" still locks the top position on the North American box office in its second week. Dropping only 27|percent| from last week, the animated movie grossed around $61.7 million to its domestic cume by adding $21.9 million this weekend.
Dave Hollis, Disney's executive vice president for theatrical sales and distribution, said that the audience for the re-release movie increased to 93|percent| this weekend. He added that the increasing number was because the theater owners saw moviegoers' interest to the movie and adjusted some of their showtimes.
The runner-up for this week was Brad Pitt's baseball drama "Moneyball", which earned $19.5 million in its debut week. The Bennett Miller-directed film has appealed primarily to older viewers. 64|percent| of the audience were over the age of 35 and 49|percent| of them were females.
Another newcomer, "Dolphin Tale" was slated on the third place with $19.1 million. The movie has received an "A+" CinemaScore and attracted to 51|percent| of audience under the age of 25. Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. Pictures' president of domestic distribution, said of the $35 million PG-rated movie, "Our business is content-driven and movie-going is still among the cheapest forms of entertainment."
Trailing behind the Drew Barrymore-starring family film was John Singleton's "Abduction". The action thriller starring "Twilight Saga" hunk Taylor Lautner has raked in $10.9 million on its first weekend. Appealing to mostly female audience, the movie earned a "B-" rating from CinemaScore.
Rounding up the top five of the chart was another new release "Killer Elite". The R-rated thriller starring Jason Statham has nabbed $9.3 million, which was far below the expectation. The movie received a "B" CinemaScore.
Top Ten Movies at Box Office for September 23-25:
