Wed. toon record for 'Shrek 2'
Wed. toon record for 'Shrek 2'
May 21, 2004
Following its rapturous reception at the Festival de Cannes, where the film unspooled In Competition on Saturday, DreamWorks Pictures' animated fairy tale "Shrek 2" bowed Wednesday with an $11.8 million, one-day cume, breaking the record for a midweek opening of an animated feature by $1.5 million.
"This was a spectacular opening and one that exceeded all of our expectations," DreamWorks head of distribution Jim Tharp said. "We had hoped to come within range of the record, but to fly well past it was thrilling, to say the least. Based on the reactions of both audiences and critics, we anticipate that positive reviews and very strong word-of-mouth will spell a very successful weekend and will carry 'Shrek 2' well into the summer months."
The film increases from its initial 3,737 theaters to 4,163 today, representing a record number of opening theaters and the first time a film has crossed the 4,000-theater mark. The previous record holder was "X2: X-Men United" with 3,741 venues, according to boxoffice tracking company Exhibitor Relations Co.
"The opening figures bode well for 'Shrek 2,' especially with the record number of theaters and the fact that it also has a short running time," Exhibitor Relations president Paul Dergarabedian said. "DreamWorks brought the film forward to a Wednesday because of how well it was received in early screenings. This is a very impressive midweek opening while the kids are still in school."
"Pokemon the Movie" held the record for the best Wednesday opening of an animated feature until now. The Warner Bros. Pictures release unspooled Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1999, with a $10.1 million gross from 2,901 theaters, according to Warner Bros. and Exhibitor Relations.
The number of animated films going out midweek remains in check thanks to the fact that midweeks for school-bound audiences is still a tough nut to crack. Other animation features to have braved the waters include "Toy Story 2," which did $9.6 million its first day in wide release (Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999) in 3,236 theaters. The original "Shrek" went out on only two screens for its Wednesday, May 16, 2001, bow, going wide that Friday to 3,587 theaters, bringing in $11.6 million its first day in wide release, according to figures compiled by Nielsen EDI. "Toy Story 2" holds the opening five-day cume record for an animated picture bowing on a Wednesday with a tally of $80.1 million.
The overall record for a best Wednesday opener across all categories is held by "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," which took in $34.5 million from 3,703 theaters for its opening.
"Shrek" brought in $42.4 million in its opening (three-day) weekend, bringing in a total domestic boxoffice of $267.7 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.
"This was a spectacular opening and one that exceeded all of our expectations," DreamWorks head of distribution Jim Tharp said. "We had hoped to come within range of the record, but to fly well past it was thrilling, to say the least. Based on the reactions of both audiences and critics, we anticipate that positive reviews and very strong word-of-mouth will spell a very successful weekend and will carry 'Shrek 2' well into the summer months."
The film increases from its initial 3,737 theaters to 4,163 today, representing a record number of opening theaters and the first time a film has crossed the 4,000-theater mark. The previous record holder was "X2: X-Men United" with 3,741 venues, according to boxoffice tracking company Exhibitor Relations Co.
"The opening figures bode well for 'Shrek 2,' especially with the record number of theaters and the fact that it also has a short running time," Exhibitor Relations president Paul Dergarabedian said. "DreamWorks brought the film forward to a Wednesday because of how well it was received in early screenings. This is a very impressive midweek opening while the kids are still in school."
"Pokemon the Movie" held the record for the best Wednesday opening of an animated feature until now. The Warner Bros. Pictures release unspooled Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1999, with a $10.1 million gross from 2,901 theaters, according to Warner Bros. and Exhibitor Relations.
The number of animated films going out midweek remains in check thanks to the fact that midweeks for school-bound audiences is still a tough nut to crack. Other animation features to have braved the waters include "Toy Story 2," which did $9.6 million its first day in wide release (Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999) in 3,236 theaters. The original "Shrek" went out on only two screens for its Wednesday, May 16, 2001, bow, going wide that Friday to 3,587 theaters, bringing in $11.6 million its first day in wide release, according to figures compiled by Nielsen EDI. "Toy Story 2" holds the opening five-day cume record for an animated picture bowing on a Wednesday with a tally of $80.1 million.
The overall record for a best Wednesday opener across all categories is held by "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," which took in $34.5 million from 3,703 theaters for its opening.
"Shrek" brought in $42.4 million in its opening (three-day) weekend, bringing in a total domestic boxoffice of $267.7 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.
Share on LinkedIn
