‘Transformers,’ ‘Ice Age’ tie for No. 1 at $42.5M / LJWorld.com

Archive for Monday, July 6, 2009

Associated Press

July 6, 2009

Los Angeles — Prehistoric creatures and robots were in a photo finish for the Fourth of July box-office crown Sunday, with “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” tied with $42.5 million each.

Final numbers today will sort out which movie actually came in first, Paramount’s “Transformers” or 20th Century Fox’s “Ice Age.” Numbers reported during the weekend are estimates based on the studio’s projections for how much business the movies will do on Sunday.

“I’ve seen squeakers before in my time, but never one like this,” said Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com.

In past close finishes, studios have accused each other of inflating their Sunday estimates to gain first-place bragging rights, only to have another movie take the No. 1 spot once final numbers are reported the next day.

Universal’s crime saga “Public Enemies,” starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, debuted a solid No. 3 with $26.2 million.

It’s rare when box-office rankings are so close, particularly in summer, when movies typically have huge opening weekends then trail off to make way for the next blockbuster.

But the action adventure “Transformers” held up well from its $109 million debut the previous weekend, while the animated sequel “Ice Age” packed in family crowds.

“Ice Age,” the third installment in the cartoon franchise, brings back voice stars Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo and Queen Latifah as the gang of extinct animals encounters a lost world of dinosaurs underground. Since opening Wednesday, “Ice Age” has taken in $67.5 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com.

1 (tie). “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” $42.5 million.

1 (tie). “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” $42.5 million.

3. “Public Enemies,” $26.2 million.

4. “The Proposal,” $12.8 million.

5. “The Hangover,” $10.4 million.

6. “Up,” $6.6 million.

7. “My Sister’s Keeper,” $5.3 million.

8. “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,” $2.5 million.

9 (tie). “Year One,” $2.1 million.

9. (tie). “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” $2.1 million.