Monday, February 14, 2005
Smith's 'Hitch' Carves Rich Niche at Box Office
Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage: "Just in time for Valentine's Day, Will Smith spread the love at the weekend box office in North America as 'Hitch' hiked to the No. 1 slot with a record opening for a romantic comedy, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday.
The film sold a better-than-expected $45.3 million worth of tickets in the three days since opening on Friday, and gave its distributor, Sony Pictures, a rare trifecta at the box office.
The Sony Corp.-owned studio also claimed the No. 2 spot with last weekend's champion, the horror movie 'Boogeyman,' which was followed by another former chart-topper, the Ice Cube comedy 'Are We There Yet?'
A Sony official said the last time a studio won the trifecta was in 1989 when Universal Pictures ruled with 'Sea of Love,' 'Uncle Buck' and 'Parenthood.'
The previous record for a romantic comedy bow was held by Sony's '50 First Dates,' which kicked off a year ago with $39.9 million."
The film sold a better-than-expected $45.3 million worth of tickets in the three days since opening on Friday, and gave its distributor, Sony Pictures, a rare trifecta at the box office.
The Sony Corp.-owned studio also claimed the No. 2 spot with last weekend's champion, the horror movie 'Boogeyman,' which was followed by another former chart-topper, the Ice Cube comedy 'Are We There Yet?'
A Sony official said the last time a studio won the trifecta was in 1989 when Universal Pictures ruled with 'Sea of Love,' 'Uncle Buck' and 'Parenthood.'
The previous record for a romantic comedy bow was held by Sony's '50 First Dates,' which kicked off a year ago with $39.9 million."
