‘Transformers 2′ and ‘Ice Age 3′ Tie for First

Published by Jeff Leins on: July 5th, 2009

Update: Transformers wins in photo finish. See final numbers below.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs tied at $42.5 million from the domestic box office this weekend, according to estimates.  The final numbers are posted Monday afternoon, when the true winner will be crowned for the July 4th holiday weekend.

The PG-rated Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs premiered Wednesday, so the opening weekend numbers are a bit lower than the other two in the series with March debuts.  It already has a 5-day total of $67.5 million domestically, which isn’t a bad start for the worst reviewed member of the trilogy.  Ice Age 3 also had the largest production budget (a reported $90 million) for the relatively new Blue Sky animation studio.  “I think we are in rarefied air. To be in a virtual tie for the weekend with one of the biggest event films ever is a great start,” Fox VP of domestic distribution Bert Livingston told Variety.

Overseas, the movie opened to a gigantic $148 million, the largest international debut ever for an animated movie.

The 3-D toon ran neck and neck with the Transformers sequel all weekend.  The robot rampage continued to a domestic total of $293.5 million, officially making it the largest movie of 2009.  After 12 days, the Michael bay movie is still pacing second behind The Dark Knight and is showing signs of slowing without a more well-rounded, mass appeal.  It definitely won’t match Batman’s long tail.  There’s nothing small about $591.4 million worldwide though.

The other newcomer was Johnny Depp’s Public Enemies, which earned an estimated $26.2 million on the 3-day and a total since Wednesday of $41M.  Also starring Christian Bale, the production budget was $100 million, so the film is in good shape unless it falls dramatically and inexplicably next weekend.  It is the biggest opening for director Michael Mann.

In fifth place, The Hangover added another $10.5 million over the weekend to become the fourth movie to cross the $200M threshold.  The R-rated comedy was made for $35 million.  Of course, WB has already greenlit a sequel.

Up gathered $6.6 million for its $264.9 million total, making it the second-largest title in Pixar’s stellar list.  It passed The Incredibles ($261.4M) and is gaining on Finding Nemo ($339.7M).

There was also a tie for ninth between Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian and Year One at $2.1 million.

Iraq War film The Hurt Locker scored the best per theater average with $14k at 9 locations.

3-Day weekend actuals:
1. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen $42.3 million
2. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs $41.7 million
3. Public Enemies $25.3 million
4. The Proposal $12.9 million
5. The Hangover $11.3 million
6. Up $6.5 million
7. My Sister’s Keeper $5.8 million
8. The Taking of Pelham 123 $2.5 million
9. Year One $2.3 million
10. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian $2 million