'Transformers' Crushes The Weekend Competition

LOS ANGELES — Alien robots have transformed into box-office superstars with $200 million in domestic ticket sales in just five days.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" took in $112 million in the sequel's first weekend and $201.2 million since opening Wednesday, according to Sunday estimates from Paramount, which is distributing the DreamWorks movie.

It was well on the way to becoming the year's top-grossing movie.

That was a few million dollars higher than other studios were expecting for the movie, and the figures could change a bit when final numbers are released Monday.

Still, it was a colossal start for the "Transformers" sequel, whose opening five days amounted to nearly two-thirds of the $319 million domestic total the franchise's first movie did over its entire run in 2007.

Now playing in almost every other country except India, the movie added $185.8 million overseas, for a worldwide total of $387 million. That's well over half the $708 million global total for the first "Transformers."

That first movie began with a $70.5 million weekend. Based on how well the sequel has done, "Revenge of the Fallen" could join the handful of movies that have topped the $400 million mark domestically.

"I'd say given the momentum it has, it's got a real shot," said Rob Moore, vice chairman at Paramount.

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For the first five days, the "Transformers" sequel was second only to last summer's "The Dark Knight" with $203.8 million.

This was the biggest opening weekend of this year, surpassing the $85.1 million debut of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" in early May.

The sequel began with $60.6 million on its opening day Wednesday. That also was second only to "The Dark Knight," which had the biggest box-office day ever with $67.2 million on opening day.

With $14.4 million at 169 IMAX theaters, "Transformers" set a record for a five-day opening in the giant-screen format, nearly doubling the previous best of $7.3 million set by "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."

"Transformers" overcame harsh reviews from critics, who called it a visual-effects extravaganza without much story or human heart. Director Michael Bay has a history of bad reviews and big box office with "Armageddon" and "Pearl Harbor."

"Michael Bay knows how to build the perfect summer box-office beast," said Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com. "He squarely aimed right at the demographic, right at what summer movie-goers want, and he put it on the screen. And audiences can't seem to get enough of it."

The sequel broadened the franchise's fan base. Females accounted for just 40 percent of the audience for the first "Transformers" but 46 percent for the sequel, Moore said.

Much of that was due to the on-screen romance for the characters played by Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, who were relative unknowns when the first movie came out.

With a $13 million weekend, Disney and Pixar Animation's "Up" became the year's top-grossing film domestically at $250.2 million. It surpassed Paramount's "Star Trek," which did $3.6 million over the weekend to hit a $246.2 million total.

The reign of "Up" at the top of the year's box-office chart will be short-lived, though. The "Transformers" sequel should shoot past it in a matter of days.

The Warner Bros. melodrama "My Sister's Keeper," with Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin, had a so-so debut, coming in at No. 5 with $12 million. Breslin plays a daughter conceived as a donor for her older sister, who has leukemia.

Summit Entertainment's Iraq War drama "The Hurt Locker" had a strong start in limited release, taking in $144,000 in four theaters for an average of $36,000 a cinema. That compares to an average of $26,453 in 4,234 theaters for "Transformers."

Starring Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie as members of a U.S. bomb squad in Baghdad, "The Hurt Locker" has a chance to become the first real commercial success among recent war-on-terror movies, which audiences generally have avoided.

"The Hurt Locker" has earned stellar reviews since debuting at film festivals last year. It rolls out to more theaters on July 10.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," $112 million.

2. "The Proposal," $18.5 million.

3. "The Hangover," $17.2 million.

4. "Up," $13 million.

5. "My Sister's Keeper," $12 million.

6. "Year One," $5.8 million.

7. "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," $5.4 million.

8. "Star Trek," $3.6 million.

9. "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," $3.5 million.

10. "Away We Go," $1.7 million.

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On the Net:

http://www.hollywood.com/boxoffice

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Universal Pictures and Focus Features are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.; Sony Pictures, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount and Paramount Vantage are divisions of Viacom Inc.; Disney's parent is The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is a division of The Walt Disney Co.; 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox Atomic are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a consortium of Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Sony Corp., Comcast Corp., DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and Quadrangle Group; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC Films is owned by Rainbow Media Holdings, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corp.; Rogue Pictures is owned by Relativity Media LLC; Overture Films is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corp.

Comments

[AntonBursch]

This movie was boring. One decent action scene in the woods, then 2 hours of boredom. But it make $200 million the first week based on hype, so, we'll be getting 3 and 4 and 5 over the next decade. I hope they make them better than this one.

[hlk46]

Also, they made a point to indicate that Obama was president, yet the president-appointed liason was too much of a Rumsfeld Neo-con, military option is the only way jerk.

[AmericanWarrior]

Waiting on the G.I.JOE movie now. Then my Summer will be complete.

[hlk46]

I almost dozed off in one of the 'bot fight scenes--doesn't matter which one because they were all the same and I didn't care/couldn't tell who was whom. One huge thing that stood out more than mf's thumbs--when they busted out of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (in Washington DC?) they were in a field of airplanes surrounded by mountains. Did I miss something? Were they supposed to have traveled somewhere (this is before they went to Egypt) and it wasn't apparent that they did? Cause I've spent some time in the DC area and there are no mountains in anywhere near the Smithsonian!

[Russycle]

Yeah, that was definitely a WTF? moment. But honestly, who really cares, that pretty much sums up the whole movie. I took my nephew and didn't think I'd care for it, but once you lower your expectations to the floor there's worse ways to kill a couple hours. But it's sad that this movie is one of the year's blockbusters. It's a sad comment on the state of the film industry, or it's audience. Or both.

[NedroidPrime]

For all of you complaining about the movie....

Did you ever watch the old cartoons in the 80's? I'm guessing not, and that you have never owned a Transformer toy.

As someone who grew up watching the old show, and played with the toys, this movie rocked. It had the same feel and pacing as many of the old episodes. At the same time, it is fresh enough to attract the younger audience.

Oh, and the twins were in the old show, and have pretty much the same personalities. It isn't prejudice, just remaining true to the source (though Soundwave didn't have his characteristic voice...)

[Kyuzo]

I grew up with the toys and TV show, and I really liked the first movie. ROTF was garbage.

Also, I really don't like the idea of a movie "attracting the younger audience" with dogs humping, robots humping, pot brownies, middle-aged men in jockstraps, close-ups of sweaty half-naked women on motorcycles, profanity and racial stereotypes.

Maybe it's just me.

[Russycle]

I agree with everything you said except the sweaty half-naked women bit. Hey, I deserve something for letting my nephew drag me to watch this drivel!

[VirginiaJeff]

Every time I see that absurdly long message on Megan's back I think, "She couldn't find a Post-It?"

[Big0725]

Wow! I'm amazed at some of the people on this site this morning.

Hey folks, it's a movie based on a cartoon that marketed a toy back in the 80's. It ain't "To Ki*ll a Mockingbird" or "Gone With the Wind". It's mindless fun designed to appeal to the MTV generation.

The average audience member at this movie probably has the attention span of a ferret on crack. (The last thing that Dennis Miller said that was even remotely funny).

[PurplePeon]

"The average audience member at this movie probably has the attention span of a ferret on crack."

Basically, Obama voters.

[rjohns3]

Until Obama gets taken down by a Pretzel or fubars the "Fool me once, Fool me twice adage it is safe to say our attention and intelligence is right where it needs to be.

Pls QQ more, your tears fuel me.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Awwww, tell us again how ob/gyns need to be allowed to practice their love with women all over this nation

[Kyuzo]

Yeah, you're right. All of the 69 million people who voted for Obama are stupid. Especially all those college professors and scientists and engineers.

[LeftLeanWing]

Only because McCain / Palin voters can't see movies unless they are playing at the Opry House in Boiled Butt Junction and the mule ain't too sick to get them there..

[magic3400]

Looks like GM finally sold some cars!

[Steward Clinton]

My best Talent is as a visual artist (Surrealist oil painter). African American character named "Skid Mark" who ridicules reading - Those two factors make me see it as an announcement to the world that the film industry is instigating racism and exploiting race sensitivity It made me flashback to an SPLC report of one third percent membership increase in KKK / Hate groups in America since the election of President Obama. I personally suggest that people 1) demand their money back 2)sue directors, editors, distribut for defamation/ Libel. 3) ON-LINE petitions and letters about the RIP OFF AND INSUL and their children now bearing the seed of white supremacy 4) complaints - Federal Trade Commission / Federal Communications Commission / Better Business Bureau and CONSUMER REPORTS 5) fight hate groups http://www.splcenter.org/index.jsp

But to avoid the distraction of race issues every time important legislation is due
1. RENEWABLE SOURCES OF CLEAN ENERGY, PAY FOR THEMSELVES! http://www.repoweramerica.org/plan/renewable-generation/
2. Health Care http://standwithdrdean.com/where_congress_stands?page=2
3. GOP Opposing Public Health Care No Matter What It's Called huffingtonpost.com
4. HEALTH CARE PUBLIC OPTION FACT CHECK - http://www.factcheck.org/politics/more_health_care_scare.html
5. Senate Report Finds Insurers Wrongfully Charged Consumers Bi
http://digg.com/health/Senate_Report_Finds_Insurers_Wrongfully_Charged_Consumers_Bi

[SherryIndianapolis]

WOW>>>>>

[Big0725]

Wow is right. Why, I wonder, does he have to qualify himself in the first sentence of his post? Kinda sounds like he's been sniffing the paint a little too long.

[magic3400]

While I understand your point (I think), you may want to provide a little more background.

Hollywood has never been a place where racial progress is made, it is a lagging social barometer of American society and will not change any time soon (look at the Oscar's winners list for the last 60 years).

There are 2 things that don't make Hollywood a great avenue for rac-ial change. First, it's about money, no "message" will ever trump that fact. Second, it's an art form so one can always make the argument of artistic expression.

We're talking about an industry that, at the height of the holocaust, was still making rac-ist movies and promoting segregated theaters in the south.

[Big0725]

Dude, stay away from the brown acid. It may help with those flashbacks.

[cofactory]

Nice I like to see racism in my action film reviews...­.. and yes the black robot died in the end...LOL
I'm just kidding. It's godd**n movie about robots, take you real world racism out of it.
Enjoy the action and let the corny jokes wash over you like a warm summer breeze.

[sisterdebmac]

Bay's a hack, his movies are t r a s h and you people need serious help.

[SherryIndianapolis]

I saw it. It is a fine movie for what it's supposed to accomplish and its target demo.

I'm glad it's doing well, if only to irritate those who feel they are better than the rest of the "regulars"

Never understood why folks take so much joy in insulting those with whom they don't agree. If I don't like something, I leave it alone. Why even waste the keystrokes? There are plenty of movies I think are horrible that critics swear by, but the last thing I'd ever do is hang out on a forum and insult those who enjoyed it. To each his own.

Some folks have far too much time on their hands. Peace.

[flyers]

If the movie was PG and made for kids, I would have no problem with it. But the movie is PG-13, catering to teenagers/20's/30's year olds, and I am embarrased that people my age like it. It is dumbed down with no story, no character development, no drama, just CGI, explosions, and action. If thats what people like these days, then expect more crap every summer. Remember the days when the Summer Blockbuster was Jaws, Star Wars, and Back to the Future? Times have changed...­.

[JohnnyKong]

The golden era has passed and mourn it we shall.

[k6007]

shia was no "relative unknown"!

[thebirdstheword]

who?

[poco767c]

It is directed by a 14 year old with ADD and a Hardon.
It is unfair to call it 'bad' it is just the most purile assault on the senses I have ever seen.
The detail of the robots would be breathtakingly impressive if they remained stationary long enough to see it without exploding. It is as exciting as watching a rock tumbler and just as loud.

[Big0725]

But he got your 10 bucks!

[MSMSucksCom]

You wanna hear something bizarre...­. OK, I'll tell you:

Shia LaBeouf did the first Transformers for $500,000 and he signed on for three, each at that price. Wow, talk about bending over.

As to movies and weekend totals, they need to adjust the numbers for inflation and increases in population.

With movie prices now at $11 each of course a flick in 2009 is going to beat out totals when movies were $7 to $8.

How come the industry does not make those kinds of adjustments? I can just as well say that popcorn sure is grossly overpriced at $5 a tub, it should be what it used to be, 25 cents. Theaters are being greedy when charging $5 for a 25 cent popcorn. Silly example, but see my point.

That's as annoying as the lottery advertising there's a $50 million prize, but by the time you adjust to present value for taking it as a lump sum and deduct taxes that have to be paid, the winner ends up with $15 million, not $50M. I know, $15 M is plenty, but just quit calling it $50M.

I digress, forgive me.

[hairyhuman]

You used the word digress, the increasingly most over-used word on the internets. ew...

[aOsO]

I just saw this movie and it was really bad, the plot, the acting, everything was bad. I actually walked out of the theater. Do not waste your money on this movie, wait for the DVD or cable.

[Big0725]

I always do wait. Why pay $10 just to get in the theater, and maybe another $20 for snacks. $30 a month is what I pay for about 15 premium movie channels. It'll be on HBO or CineMax or whatever in a year. Doubt seriously it'll get worse or better by then.