Box-Office Benjamin$: Oh Those Glorious Basterds

After a very warm critical reception and the enticing brand name that is Quentin Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds blew up the box-office this weekend by raking in an impressive $37.6 million. It’s the biggest opening weekend for Tarantino’s blood-spattered career; the second best being Kill Bill in 2003, which brought in just over $22 million during its opening weekend. Oh, and the fact that The Weinstein Company had Brad Pitt’s face to plaster all over banner ads and TV spots didn’t hurt. It was just a great movie and it really was Tarantino’s masterpiece; as Lt. Aldo Raine  mentioned in the film’s closing shot.

I’m having a tough time deciding between Basterds and District 9 for the “best film of the summer/year” just yet, but it seems audiences are having a similar predicament, as the little sci-fi movie that could had a solid second weekend at the box-office, taking in $18 million. Let’s put this in perspective, District 9 relied its financial success on an unknown director, a first-time actor and a production budget of only $30 million.  After10 days, it’s total domestic gross is now $73 million; a $43 million profit (minus marketing costs) for a movie that had no brand name or familiar franchise association. It’s really nice to see that quality films like Basterds and D9 are making bank at the box-office, especially since this summer has been filled with mediocrity.

G.I. Joe is still struggling to truck along, which came in third this weekend with $12.5 million. It’s domestic total is now at just over $120 million. That number is deceiving though, as Joe’s production budget was $175 million, PLUS marketing costs. Either way, we’re going to see a Joe 2 sometime in the next couple years. UGH.

This weekend it’s all about which movie “kills it,” as two horror franchises unveil their latest installments, with Rob Zombie’s Halloween II and The Final Destination in 3D going head-to-head. Although the FD franchise has completely outstayed its welcome for sometime, I think the 3D factor could play big here. Rob Zombie’s first Halloween was decent, but I’m really “meh” about #2. I think that The Final Destination will be on top this weekend with a modest $25 million. I also think that Basterds will have a solid second weekend and come in at #2 with $21 million. Halloween II is going to flop and only bring in about $17 million, which puts District 9 at #4 with a solid $13 million third weekend. Challenge?

Here’s a breakdown of the rest of the Top 5 at the Box-Office this weekend.

1) Inglorious Basterds – $37.6 million
2) District 9 – $18.9 million
3) G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra – $12.5 million
4) The Time Traveler’s Wife – $10.02 million
5) Julie & Julia – $9 million

Source: Box-Office Mojo

What Do You Think? Discuss.