Terrell

Had the film been able to live up to the unlivable hype and expectations, it might have given it a run. The only problem was the hype and expectations were ridiculous and completely unreasonable. That was the only film capable of that. But since it disappointed a lot of people, it didn't.

I even think the predictions that this film would do 400 million dollars domestic were stupid as well. This film was never going to do that kind of money. If LOTR couldn't hit 400 million, no way in hell Kong would.

I thought it had a chance at 300 million, but it's going to need 75 million or better this weekend, and some serious legs to reach that number.

Orbi-Wan Techno

Kong is the only movie I'm going to see this holiday (in a theater, at least...) and I'm waiting until Sunday, because I had to work this week. I don't do weekday/night movies because I'm a school teacher and have to be at school by 7:30 every morning....

NatrlBornThrllr

Yeah, Gone with the Wind, at 1.3 billion.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm

-JP

jaeufraser

I would think that Return of the King was far more front loaded on its first day (and opening weekend) than Kong will be.

I don't think that would be a good comparison really. Kong will make more money percentage wise during the weekend than RoTK did comparitivly.

As for that list of all time grossers adjusted, it's not really the full picture. It only considers domestic...if you consider worldwide, it's close between Gone With the Wind and Titanic. Since Titanic's domestic gross is only 1/3rd of the total gross, that would put its total around 2.44 billion. Gone With the Wind would be a little bit more though if you consider worldwide I think. I don't think any other films adjusted cracks 2 billion.

LivingINClip

I still don't know why they opened this one on a Wensday. It has the potenial to be a blockbuster, but not that kind of one. I say they should of just opened on Friday and let it go.

Jon2

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. FWIW, since my first post, I did see Kong and will see it again. BTW, I'm not a fan, but kudos to Black. He carries as much of the film as Watts and Kong.

Like a lot of others (Harryhausen, Bradbury and Ackerman to name a few, and... no, I'm not ashamed to name drop), I found the original Kong to be very sympathic. A beast, an animal...yes, but not a villan.

I just found the ann/Kong dynamic to be totally unbelievable, in Dino's and Jackson's Kongs. It's absolutely ridiculous. Wouldn't happen and I don't care who you are, woman or man. No disrespect intended, but even Jane Goodall would have soiled herself in Kong's clutches. I find it unbelievable human behavior and unnecessary to telling Kong's tragedy.

I suppose if one can accept all the other unbelievable aspects beyond the obvious, what's a little unbelievable human behavior. I guess I would have preferred Kong as lost world science fiction rather than a lost world fantasy.

However, be all that as it may, I have to say Jackson's Kong is a great movie. Can't wait for the DVD.

LivingINClip

I think the whole point is, that while she was originally scared of Kong, she realized that deep down he wasn't that fearsome beast. She didn't care for him right off, it was something she grew started to do, after he showed other emotions and even saved her life countless times. The one thing Peter Jackson done in this film, is show emotions with Kong's eyes and that told the story. Great job.

I for one, hate Jack Black, but his character worked in this film, 'cept for the last line. He botched that one.

Josh H

All but the 11:15 showing ended up selling out at the theater I caught it at last night. I have a feeling it's going to make pretty good cash this weekend.

darqleo

Estimated at $30,306,000 for Wed-Fri (worldwide is $38,306,000)

maingon

Kong may not have a huge opening weekend, but like batman begins and others it will stay around longer then other movies. I will be seeing it again tuesday with some people from school and then friday my familys going to see it.

Mr. Cinema

I do think this one will have legs up until Oscar time. But some people have no patience and want to write this one as a failure. I'm going to see it at least 2 more times...possibly a 4th if I'm still pumped about it.

al_bundy

i walked by my local theater and it was almost empty even though Kong was playing on 3 screens. When LOTR was here it was packed and they had multiple lines stretching around the block.

This is a BOMB. If it makes money late in it's run like titanic than the theaters keep more of the take and it's still a loss for the studio unless the DVD is a blockbuster.

nightmaster

I'm suprised at the numbers. I figured $100 million was a given for the 5 day weekend but now I'm not so sure. I think they should have waited another week and shown it closer to the holidays as was the case with ROTK. I realise next weekend will be last minute shopping and holiday celebration, but I think the numbers would have been better with people being off work and out of school. Even so, it'll make good money in the weeks to come.

Saw it last night and really loved the Island and New York segments.

maingon

this movie is no BOMB. people like you overreact because of one weekend. Next weekend is christmas break it will do good business next week and will have legs.

PJsig08

Right, good one.

Going to make close to $200 million just in the U.S. Factor in overseas and DVD sales, and you've got a pretty big success story. The amazing reviews it has been getting won't hurt it either.

Jackskeleton

Wow, I really like how everyone is a Box office pro now with a couple of web sites and a couple days worth of take ins. This is far from over and calling anything a bomb is pretty silly till way down the line. Especially with the change to DVD's as much, if not more income for a film now a days.

OldBoy

if you are factoring in overseas, US, and DVD sales then when all is said and done it will make way more than $200 mil.

PJsig08

"Going to make close to $200 million just in the U.S."

SkyDog

Things don't seem to be looking all that great. I just checked, and Return of the King actually made more in it's 2nd Wednesday-Sunday time period (over $72 million) than King Kong did in it's first. I think King Kong might fall just a bit short of making back it's production budget of $207 million (from boxofficemojo.com). Factor in the marketing costs, which have got to be really high as well, and it looks like unless the international box office is really good, this might not reach profitability until the DVD hits.

Inverse

Kong is doing rather better internationally ($80m after 5 days.) It also has the advantage of not facing any new action competition for weeks and months to come. That's huge, given there are two big holiday weekends coming up. It'll probably make it into the black on its initial run, though it's not going to set the world on fire.

Someone over at Box Office Mojo mentioned that Kong is $9 million behind Fellowship of the Ring to date. Which makes sense when you think about it--That $9 million represents the hardcore LOTR fans. LOTR and Potter and Star Wars and even Narnia benefited from having large pre-existing fanbases of people who were willing to re-arrange their schedules to see their dream movie in the middle of the week. Kong didn't really have that.

The Nature Boy

In retrospect, it was probably ill-advised to release it on the last shopping weekend before Christmas. Most of my local theaters are located in shopping centers, which was enough to keep me away. On top of the last weekend of holiday parties, etc. I will probably catch it this week, but more likely the week between Christmas and New Years.

Mr. Cinema

I posted this quote in the other box office thread:

"Grosses for "King Kong" jumped 40 percent from Friday to Saturday, a huge increase for a non-family film and a sign that good word-of-mouth was pulling in audiences, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations."

Of course, when I mentioned the 40% jump from Friday to Saturday was probably due to the positive word of mouth, I got the typical so what comments from registered dvd talk cynics.

I think that's great considering what time of year it is....the last weekend before Christmas, which should have lots of people spending time shopping, etc.

ShagMan

I'm no box-office master, but I went to go see this at 4:30pm, and it was sold out for the day already... that's a good sign!

I loved the movie, I think it will do well.

darqleo

Worldwide: $146,200,000

nightmaster

Exactly. Having made that much money worldwide in it's opening weekend this can hardly be called a bomb- it will make it's money back easily this month and when the DVD comes around will make scads more. Why people seem to WANT good movies to fail these days is beyond me.