Animated Blockbuster Breaks Several Records, Including Biggest Opening of 2009, Best 3D Opening Ever and Biggest Spring Opening for a Non-Sequel Animated Film
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The initial DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) 3D animated release 'Monsters vs. Aliens' topped preliminary estimates to gross $59.3 million over the weekend at 4,104 locations, of which 1,550 were in 3D, including IMAX. In so doing, the film broke several box office records:
- Biggest weekend debut of 2009
- Best Opening for a 3D Film
- Biggest Spring Opening for a non-sequel Animated Film
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The DreamWorks Animation film, which was distributed by Paramount Pictures, grossed approximately $32.6 million on the 2,080 3D screens (including IMAX), which represents only 28 percent of the film's runs and accounts for 56 percent of the total weekend gross.
'This gross tops even my best estimate for the weekend,' says Jim Tharp, Paramount Pictures' president of distribution. 'It is a spectacular performance for this film and an impressive wide-release gross for 3D. It bodes well not only for DreamWorks Animation's future films in 3D but for the entire 3D industry.'
Friday night grosses were a promising $16,765,000. $24,303,000 was added on Saturday, the top box office day of the weekend, and an additional $18,243,000 on Sunday.
'Monsters vs. Aliens' continues its run at the box office during the spring break and the Easter/Passover holiday period of the next couple of weeks.
DreamWorks Animation SKG Presents 'Monsters vs. Aliens,' a Paramount Pictures release --and DreamWorks Animation's first InTru 3D Movie, wholly conceived, developed and authored in 3D--featuring the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Paul Rudd and Stephen Colbert. The film is directed by ROB LETTERMAN ('Shark Tale') and CONRAD VERNON ('Shrek 2').
