The 3-D effect has taken over box office this weekend. Dreamworks Animation’s action comedy “Monster vs. Aliens” made a grand opening that placed it at No. 1 and generated a massive $58.2 million in ticket sales in North America. It was the biggest debut so far in 2009, going over Watchmen’s $55 million opening. Needless to say, it also premiered top among other 3-D films of this year namely “My Bloody Valentine 3-D” and “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience.”A family film, “Monsters vs. Aliens” features a feud between creatures from 1950s movies and extraterrestrials invading the earth. Screenings included regular theaters, IMAX screens, 2-D and 3-D. Though the more expensive 3-D showings of the film formed less than a third of all types of screening, it earned 56% of the total revenue (approx. $32.6 million). There were 143 IMAX shows that gave the film an additional earning of about $5.2 million (9% of the total money). Overall, it was played in 4104 theaters. Placed between “Cars” and “Toy Story 2“, “Monsters vs. Aliens” has become the eighth-biggest animated opener of all time.
Following the 3-D smash is Lionsgate’s ghost story “The Haunting in Connecticut“. Surprisingly, it came second with a $23 million turnover. A ‘B’ CinemaScore grade from an audience comprising 58% female did not prevent the horror movie from giving Virginia Madsen the best premiere of her career. “Knowing“, which was reigning box office the previous week, has gone down to the third place. In its second weekend, it made $14.7 million in ticket sales. The Summit Entertainment thriller has to its credit a total of $46.2 million. “I Love You, Man” was number 4 with $12.6 million, and “Duplicity” slipped to the fifth position with $7.6 million.
The grand debut of “Monsters vs. Aliens” has boosted up Hollywood’s profits. Box office this weekend has grossed $148 million, a 39% increase from the same weekend a year ago. It is 39% This year’s revenue, till now, has reached $2.38 billion, which is 12% more than that of 2008’s. Hollywood is sure on a roll in 2009.