Nicole Kidman's "Golden Compass" Flops Early On

"The Golden Compass" proved a mild fantasy at the box office, pulling in $26.1 million, a modest opening weekend compared to such recent December heavyweights as "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" flicks.

New Line Cinema's "The Golden Compass," whose cast includes Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, also took in $55 million overseas since it began opening last Wednesday in 25 other countries.

Disney's "Enchanted," the No. 1 movie the previous two weekends, fell to second-place with $10.7 million, raising its total to $83.9 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

New Line, which had enormous success with its three "Lord of the Rings" films, had hoped for more out of "The Golden Compass," expecting it to reach at least $30 million domestically over its first weekend, said Rolf Mittweg, the studio's marketing chief. The film cost $180 million to make.

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Comments

[BeerHolder]

I don't know about her movie but that picture of her with that hairdo and dress is a real flop. She's not nearly as pretty as she thinks she is.

[Kissydee]

The movie is completely anti-church, the book is completely anti-church, and that's one of the reasons it is wonderful. It is a powerful statement against the church and all it has stood for throughout history.

I saw the movie today and thought it was one of the best adaptations of a book I've ever seen. I was slightly annoyed with the dumbing-down of the story, but that always happens. I'd be curious as to what people who haven't read the books thought.

[GQTaste]

Of course the elephants will call this a victory. Not having a clue about why that is... When you boil it all down the film is not anti-religion. It's Anti-power grabbing. i.e. all those crazies Bill'O, Hanity, Billy Graham, Dobson, the dude that got caught messing around w/ male escorts, etc.

[BeerHolder]

I just hope it's a great movie. Who gives a shit if it's anti religion. When people have to go to such extremes to defend their beliefs, that's a pretty good indication their beliefs are false and fragile.

If there is a god he/she/it can defend him/her/it's self.

[mediamarv]

I agree.
I saw the film today and was thoroughly entertained. Great escapism and the special fx are mind boggling. We have become so blase about these new technologies that we forget what a wonder they are.
See this film for no other reason than to be aware of how good Hollywood studios are..
The rest of the world envies...

[spunkster]

Sorry - but this first weekend take of 28 million hardly qualifies the film as a flop!
And it has not been publicized as Kidman's film... it certainly does not hang on her shoulders, whether or not it succeeds. Besides, her performance has been, almost universally, lauded, as has the film itself.

[mediamarv]

"After Saturday and Sunday sales are factored in, the film will come in at No. 1 with about $28 million when the studios issue their weekend estimates on Sunday,"

My sentiments exactly. Is HuffPo trying to cater to the religious thugs who thought the film destroyed their little fantasy world??
What would Jeebus see???

[jayrayspicer]

It's likely to be the number one film of the weekend, and you're calling it a flop? That doesn't make a lotta sense.