It’s been a long time since three blockbuster movies battled it out for the weekend top spot in the box office.
Paramount’s Tom Cruise starrer Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol topped the Wednesday box office as it expanded nationwide, collecting $6.6 million in addition to $2 million in Tuesday night shows for a total $8.6 million. It’s a promising sign for Paramount and co-financing partner Skydance Productions. And, including the $17.1 million earned in 425 IMAX and large-format sneaks that began last Friday, the franchise installment is all in with $25.7 million. Brad Bird directed the film, which also stars Jeremy Renner.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, from Sony, also got off to a strong start, grossing $1.6 million on Tuesday night and $3.5 million on Wednesday for a total $5.1 million. Directed by David Fincher, the English-language adaptation of the blockbuster Swedish novel stars Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara and Christopher Plummer.
Last weekend’s box office champ, Warner Bros.’ Sherlock Holmes–A Game of Shadows, grossed $4.3 million on Wednesday to come in No. 2. The sequel–reteaming filmmaker Guy Ritchie with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law–has earned $54 million, but still lags behind the original.
Box office observers were heartened by the level of theater traffic on Wednesday after three miserable weekends, but warn that this weekend could be tough since Christmas eve–notoriously bad for moviegoing–falls on a Saturday. Thursday and Friday should be good days, and next week even better.
But the real question still remains? Which of the three movies will be the box office champ? If I had to guess, I’d say Mission Impossible followed by The Girl With Dragon Tattoo and then Sherlock Holmes.
