‘Princess and Frog’ Crowned Weekend Winner

Published by Jeff Leins on: December 14th, 2009

Disney’s 2D-animated The Princess and the Frog hopped to the top of the box office and other princess and frog puns.  The family studio’s return to hand-drawn animated musicals made $24.2 million as it expanded to 3,434 theaters across the country.

The New Orleans fairy tale presented the first African-American princess to positive reviews (83% from Rotten Tomatoes critics).  There’s little competition among the younger female crowd going into the holiday, so it should continue to get kisses for weeks.  Get it?  Because it’s about kissing frogs!

Meanwhile, Clint Eastwood’s Invictus was a disappointment, debuting to just $8.6 million and the bronze in its first weekend.  The star power of the iconic actor-turned-director, plus the presence Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, couldn’t kick off a strong opening for the film.  I wasn’t the biggest fan of the forced-inspirational rugby story, but I can’t deny it will trail for months as awards consideration (for Freeman especially) give the $60-million production a much-needed boost.

In second, The Blind Side is still holding strong.  $149 million domestic on a budget of $29M.  If there wasn’t already a formula for uplifting stories about families rescuing impoverished athletes, then Sandra Bullock would have just made one.

In fourth The Twilight Saga: New Moon is still making a ridiculous amount of money.  How does $588.8 million worldwide grab you (and stare into your eyes)?

Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones started its limited roll-out with $38k at three locations, but it will have a tough hill to climb in the coming weeks.  Reviews weren’t exactly thrilled with the mix of drama and heavenly special effects and it likely won’t see much awards consideration.

How will these movies fare when Avatar eclipses the competition this Friday?

3-Day U.S. Weekend Actuals:
1. The Princess and the Frog  $24.2 million
2. The Blind Side  $15.1 million
3. Invictus  $8.6 million
4. The Twilight Saga: New Moon  $7.96 million
5. A Christmas Carol  $6.8 million
6. Brothers  $5 million
7. Old Dogs $4.4 million
8. 2012  $4.35 million
9. Armored $3.5 million
10. Ninja Assassin  $2.7 million