The Passion of the Christ a huge hit so far

[Renz]

"The Passion of the Christ" a huge hit so far

Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ has grossed over $26 million on its opening day. Pretty impressive.

BOX OFFICE MOJO

> DAILY BOX OFFICE for 2/26/2004:

1. THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

3,006 theaters $26,556,573

2. 50 FIRST DATES

3,612 theaters $1,135,947

3. EUROTRIP

2,512 theaters $545,327

4. WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT

2,868 theaters $386,379

5. MIRACLE

2,525 theaters $395,158

Theater Count
Daily Gross

Copyright © 1998-2004 by Box Office Mojo. All rights reserved.
Charts and data cannot be published or posted elsewhere without the expressed permission of Box Office Mojo. To publish or use the stats for professional purposes, please inquire at [email protected].

 

[Chaz]

That is very impressive considering it opened on a Wednesday.

 

[MadCardDisease]

It doesn't have any real competition so it should do real good.

 

[Assface]

I can't wait till they make the Passion of Christy Canyon.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

Originally posted by Assface
I can't wait till they make the Passion of Christy Canyon.

NICE!


But would she come out of retirement to do it?

 

[Renz]

'Passion' Plays On: $64.6M in Three Days
by Brandon Gray
February 28, 2004

HOLLYWOOD (Box Office Mojo) – The Passion of the Christ is performing far beyond the lofty expectations even its $26.6 million Wednesday suggested, let alone what anyone thought prior to its release.

In just three days, the tally for Mel Gibson's $30 million "Passion play" has soared to $64.6 million and by Sunday it should ascend to over $110 million – becoming the No. 1 movie of 2004 and the fifth-biggest 5-day opener ever.

Breaking down The Passion's incredible haul, it took in $26.6 million on Wednesday (including $3 million of Monday and Tuesday church previews), playing on 4,643 screens at 3,006 theaters. It eased 44% on Thursday to $14.8 million, or 37% when excluding the preview grosses from Wednesday. That's a modest drop when the norm for an uber-Wednesday opener is to fall in the 50% range as movies like The Return of the King and The Phantom Menace did.

On Friday, The Passion expanded slightly to 4,793 screens at 3,043 theaters. Business surged 57% to an estimated $23.2 million, essentially matching the Wednesday take – another unlikely feat for a movie performing at these levels. Despite three new wide releases entering the marketplace -- Twisted, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and Club Dread -- The Passion still accounted for over half of all tickets sold.

The Friday gross suggests that The Passion's opening weekend (Friday-Sunday) will hit close to $75 million, landing in the top 10 of all bows and setting a new February benchmark and the record for a movie debuting outside the summer ( May-August) and holiday ( November-December) seasons. Hannibal is the previous title holder, devouring $58.0 million out of the gate in February 2001.

The Passion should prove to be the most successful movie of Gibson's career. Signs was his previous commercial high point in terms of opening weekend and total gross. Also containing a religious theme, it bowed to $60.1 million at 3,264 theaters and ended up with $228.0 million by the end of its run.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[FischerKing]

Shawn

 

[Renz]

TOP 5-DAY OPENING GROSSES
As of 2/29/04

Rank
Title
Studio
Opening*
% of Total
Theaters
Average
Gross-to-date
Date**

1
The Matrix Reloaded
WB
$144,391,066
51.3%
3,603
$40,075
$281,576,461
5/15/03

2
Spider-Man
Sony
$135,840,755
33.6%
3,615
$37,577
$403,706,375
5/3/02

3
The Passion of the Christ
NM
$125,185,971
-
3,043
$41,139
$125,185,971
2/25/04

4
The Return of the King
NL
$124,100,534
-
3,703
$33,514
$364,091,000
12/17/03

5
Attack of the Clones
Fox
$120,829,572
38.9%
3,161
$38,225
$310,676,740
5/16/02

6
The Phantom Menace
Fox
$105,661,237
24.5%
2,970
$35,576
$431,088,297
5/19/99

7
Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer's Stone
WB
$104,590,892
32.9%
3,672
$28,483
$317,575,550
11/16/01

8
The Two Towers
NL
$102,046,212
29.9%
3,622
$28,174
$341,786,758
12/18/02

9
Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets
WB
$98,421,061
37.6%
3,682
$26,730
$261,988,482
11/15/02

10
The Lost World:
Jurassic Park
Uni.
$98,388,789
42.9%
3,281
$29,987
$229,086,679
5/23/97

Copyright © 1998-2004 by Box Office Mojo. All rights reserved.

 

[FischerKing]

Originally posted by Renz
TOP 5-DAY OPENING GROSSES
As of 2/29/04

Rank
Title
Studio
Opening*
% of Total
Theaters
Average
Gross-to-date
Date**

3
The Passion of the Christ
NM
$125,185,971
-
3,043
$41,139
$125,185,971
2/25/04

Copyright © 1998-2004 by Box Office Mojo. All rights reserved.

Shawn

 

[Chaplin]

It's not like it has any competition...

 

[FischerKing]

Originally posted by Chaplin
It's not like it has any competition...

That's not a good excuse - there are other movies that come out without stiff competition and don't pull in those types of numbers.

Unless that's what you meant by the ?

Shawn

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by FischerKing
That's not a good excuse - there are other movies that come out without stiff competition and don't pull in those types of numbers.

Unless that's what you meant by the ?

Shawn

You also have to understand that this movie has a lot going for it that a lot of other movies do not.

1) Word-of-mouth is the only reason it's made this much money
2) Entire churches have rented out theaters for the movie--that's a huge chunk of money
3) There is no competition because of its release structure. January/February/early March are the worst times of the year for movies (although there ARE exceptions like Dark City, Breakdown and Rosewood--of course, those 3 didn't make the kind of money Passion is)

The amazing thing about this movie is #3... Movies just don't make a lot of money in those months, which is why you don't see a lot of good movies released then. Look at this year for example, there's probably only been a handful of great movies so far--mainly Passion and of course, Miracle. The rest have just been throw-aways (with the probably exception of 50 First Dates).

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Passion of The Christ Earns $125.2 Million in 5 Days
Source: Coming Soon!
Monday, March 1, 2004

The actual figures are in for the weekend and Mel Gibson's $30 million-budgeted The Passion of The Christ earned an incredible $83.8 million from 3,043 theaters just on the weekend, to bring its official five-day total to $125.2 million. That surpasses the first five-day total of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($124.1 million) and only trails Spider-Man ($135.8 million) and The Matrix Reloaded ($144.4 million) for best ever.

It is now the largest opening weekend for a film in February, and the sixth best opening weekend of all-time. For an R-rated film, "Passion" is only second to the three-day weekend record set by The Matrix Reloaded with $91.8 million.

"Passion" also had the eighth biggest day in the history of box office on Saturday, when it earned a massive $33.1 million.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I always knew that there was an untapped resource for christian movies and related stuff in the US. I've been saying all along that there is money to be made in that genre. The $125 million doesn't even show the money they are making off the little trinkets and other related Passion of Christ stuff.

Do you realize that it only cost Gibson $35 million to make that movie.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Originally posted by MadCardDisease
I always knew that there was an untapped resource for christian movies and related stuff in the US. I've been saying all along that there is money to be made in that genre. The $125 million doesn't even show the money they are making off the little trinkets and other related Passion of Christ stuff.

Do you realize that it only cost Gibson $35 million to make that movie.

What related trinkets?

Mike

 

[Chaplin]

The Merchandising of the Christ.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by Chandler Mike
What related trinkets?

Mike

You must be kidding.

It's something that's been reported in every paper and on every tv news show. You can buy everything from necklaces with different sized crucifixion nails on them... to posters, to books, cards, etc. all tied in with the movie. Hats, jackets, etc. Everything except a fast food tie-in. All through the official website only. The Profit of the Christ.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
Everything except a fast food tie-in.

Could you imagine a Happy meal with a bloody nail in it or maybe a fake thorny crown that kids could wear. Now that would be going a little far. Although I wouldn't put it past them. I've seen stranger things happen.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
You must be kidding.

It's something that's been reported in every paper and on every tv news show. You can buy everything from necklaces with different sized crucifixion nails on them... to posters, to books, cards, etc. all tied in with the movie. Hats, jackets, etc. Everything except a fast food tie-in. All through the official website only. The Profit of the Christ.

Hadn't heard that at all...kind of weird if you ask me.

Mike

 

[Renz]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
You must be kidding.

It's something that's been reported in every paper and on every tv news show. You can buy everything from necklaces with different sized crucifixion nails on them... to posters, to books, cards, etc. all tied in with the movie. Hats, jackets, etc. Everything except a fast food tie-in. All through the official website only. The Profit of the Christ.

Mel Gibson is just spreading the word, trying to reach as many people as possible. The jewelry makers are consulting with religious leaders to see if they are conveying the same message that they hope to share with their churches, such as charms that read "Passion" in Aramaic and pewter nail pendants citing scripture passages like:

Isaiah 53

5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Here is a link to the website. Sorry no hats, jackets or happy meals though.

www.sharethepassionofthechrist.com/index.htm

 

[FischerKing]

Personal opinion - I'm all for talking about Christ and spreading the Word - but merchandising of it just really turns my stomach. I just think that is taking it too far - however, that's just my opinion. If they think it helps to spread the message - then so be it - but I won't be supporting it through purchases nor will I discourage it by telling others they can't buy it. I just don't agree with it - I think it cheapens it.

I have difficulties with that cheap trinket stuff in Christian bookstores as well - but don't get me started...

Shawn

 

[CardLogic]

Originally posted by Chaplin
It's not like it has any competition...

Even non-believers stumble upon a nugget of truth every now and then!

 

[Renz]

$153,003,285 in 8 days and counting...

 

[Renz]

Friday's estimates:

The Passion of the Christ - $14,100,000 ($174,742,000 Total)

Starsky & Hutch - $9,600,000

Hidalgo - $5,800,000

I really though that Starsky & Hutch and Hidalgo would knock The Passion out of the top spot, but it is still going strong! Amazing.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

The Passion Crosses $200M Mark in 12 Days
Source: Coming Soon!
Sunday, March 7, 2004

The Coming Soon! Box Office Report has been updated with the studio estimates for this weekend. Be sure to stay tuned there for the final figures on Monday afternoon.

Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ had another big weekend with the film adding $51.4 million. The $30 million-budgeted film, starring Jim Caviezel, passed the $200 million mark on Sunday, its twelfth day, to bring the massive total to $212 million. This is on-par with Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, which also reached the mark in twelve days. The movie is now the fifth-biggest R-rated movie ever and has already climbed to the 48th spot on the all-time domestic blockbuster list.

The new Warner Bros. action-comedy Starsky & Hutch, starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, debuted in second place earning $29.1 million from 3,185 theaters. The film carried a budget of $60 million. Opening in third was Touchstone's $90 million-budgeted Hidalgo, starring Viggo Mortensen, which made $19.6 million from 3,063 theaters.

Columbia Pictures' romantic comedy 50 First Dates dropped to the fourth spot with $7.7 million. The $75 million film, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, has earned $99.4 million in four weeks. Paramount thriller Twisted rounded out the top five with $5 million and has collected $16.4 million in two weeks.