Key to the Per Theater Chart

July 26, 2011

Sarah's Key found its way to the top of the per theater chart with $23,142 in five theaters. Another Earth was also a strong performer earning an average of $19,435 in four theaters. Captain America: The First Avenger led the way on the overall chart and earned an average of $17,512 on the per theater chart. Last week's winner, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow, Part 2, fell to fourth place with $10,839.

There were very few other new limited releases this week, with Myth of the American Sleepover being the best of the rest. It earned $8,700 in one theater and combined with its reviews, there's some potential for expansion there. On the other hand, Singham will not expand. Firstly, its per theater average was just $3,221 and secondly, it's aimed at a niche target audience and these particular films almost never expand. A Little Help was even weaker with an average of $1,870 in 24 theaters. I was expecting the film to struggle, but not this badly.

This past week also saw milestones reached for a few Per Theater Charts alumni:

• After opening with close to $1 million last weekend, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara reached that milestone midweek, before hitting $2 million over the weekend. Its already has better legs than a lot of similar films have, so there's at least a slim chance it will get to $3 million.
• Beginners surpassed $4 million before the weekend start and by the end it was already halfway to $5 million. Granted, its per theater average is a little low, so it might start shedding theaters. That said, I think the studio will be happy with the film's performance so far.
• Its been more than a month since Cave of Forgotten Dreams topped $4 million, but it hung in there and snuck its way over $5 million. That's very impressive for a documentary.

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Theater Averages, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, Captain America: The First Avenger, Beginners, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Elle s'appelait Sarah, A Little Help, Another Earth, The Myth of the American Sleepover, Singham, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara