By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of November 7 – 9, 2008

DreamWorks Animation’s “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” dominated the North American box office this weekend with a stunning $63.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath’s sequel to the 2005 hit family flick raced to the top spot early on, beating its predecessor’s opening weekend gross by $16.3 million. In the film New York zoo animals Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman try to fly back home but accidentally end up somewhere in Africa.

Debuting in second place with a surprising $19.2 million was David Wain’s R-Rated comedy “Role Models.” Starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, the film focuses on two co-workers who are ordered to spend some quality time with two lonely kids.

At No. 3, Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” collected another $9.2 million, lifting its domestic total to $75.7 million after three weeks in release. Following closely at No. 4 was Clint Eastwood’s "Changeling,” which reaches a total haul of $20.5 million after this weekend’s earnings of $7.2 million.

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By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of October 31 – November 2, 2008

Walt Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” clung to the No. 1 spot at the North American box office this weekend with $15 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Kenny Ortega’s third installment in the popular series dropped a few spots on Friday but regained momentum Saturday and Sunday to remain at the top of the chart, lifting its domestic total to $61.7 million after two weeks in theaters.

Debuting in second place with $10.6 million was Kevin Smith’s “Zack and Miri Make a Porno.” The comedy starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks focuses on two life-long friends who decide to make a porno in order to get rid of their increasing debt.

Following closely at No. 3 was David Hackl’s “Saw V,” which took home $10.1 million and brought its total gross to $45.8 million. The fifth installment in the “Saw” series is currently $17.4 million away from beating its predecessor, “Saw IV.”

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David Hackl’s “Saw V” easily outperformed Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” at the North American box office this Friday with $3.1 million in ticket sales.

The fifth installment in the popular "Saw" series dominated all new releases on Halloween, lifting its cumulative gross to $38.8 million after only one week in release.

Following at No. 2 was Clint Eastwood’s acclaimed drama “Changeling,” which took home $2.3 million. The film starring Angelina Jolie opened in limited release last week and expanded into 1,850 sites this weekend.

Debuting in third place with $2.2 million was Kevin Smith’s comedy “Zack and Miri Make a Porno.” In the R-rated film, Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks decide to make a porno in order to get rid of their growing debt.

Surprisingly, Freestyle Releasing’s horror flick “The Haunting of Molly Hartley” finished fourth with $1.7 million. Following closely at No. 5 was “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” earning $1.7 million and bringing its domestic total to $22.1 million.

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)

By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of October 24 – 26

Walt Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” took center stage at the North American box office this weekend with an impressive $42 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The third installment in the popular series opened at 3,623 locations Friday, easily dominating its competition all weekend long. Starring Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, the musical follows Troy and his gang as they gear up to graduate from high school and prep for college.

Debuting in second place with $30.5 million was David Hackl’s horror sequel “Saw V,” which almost matched its predecessor’s opening weekend gross of $31.7 million. The blood-laden film follows a detective who tries to uncover the identity of the late Jigsaw’s ruthless successor.

At No. 3, John Moore’s video game adaptation “Max Payne” collected $7.6 million, lifting its domestic total to $29.6 million. Starring Mark Wahlberg, the film follows a grieving detective who struggles to hunt down those responsible for the murder of his family.

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Walt Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” danced to the top of the North American box office Friday with an estimated $16.9 million in ticket sales.

The third installment in the popular series is the first to hit the big-screen, opening at 3,623 locations – the widest release this weekend. The film should have no major trouble holding on to the No. 1 spot.

Debuting in second place with $14.1 million was David Hackl’s horror sequel “Saw V,” followed by John Moore’s “Max Payne” at No. 3 with $2.6 million. The latter’s domestic total currently stands at $24.6 million.

The weekend’s third wide release, “Pride and Glory” only made it to No. 4, collecting $2.3 million at 2,585 sites. Gavin O’Connor’s crime drama centers on a family of NYPD cops involved in a major corruption investigation.

At No. 5, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” finished with $1.8 million, lifting its cumulative gross to $73 million. Check back tomorrow for the full three-day box office results.

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)

Usually, this time of the year really belongs to “Saw,” but this year, the latest installment in the bloody horror franchise has some serious competition: “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”

Not only does “High School Musical” have a massive fan base, but it is also the widest release with 3,623 locations. David Hackl’s “Saw V” debuts at 3,060 sites.

“Max Payne” has been clinging to the top spot of the box office all week, picking up another $978,033 Wednesday. The film’s domestic total now stands at $21.1 million.

Meanwhile, Oliver Stone’s “W.” moved up to second place, collecting $683,823 to reach a cumulative of $12.8 million. “The Secret Life of Bees” finished third with $667,519 Wednesday, bringing its total to $12.6 million.

It’s pretty safe to assume this week’s new releases will easily jump to the top of the box office chart. The “Saw” flicks usually pull in around $31 million during opening weekend, and I believe the fifth installment will keep up this tradition.

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