Written by: Michael Hickerson (SoSF Journalist)
For the most part, Americans shied away from the multi-plexes this weekend, whether it be due to spring-like weather in most areas of the country or the impedending kick-off to the summer blockbuster season on Friday.
Overall, ticket sales were down for the weekend. They dropped 17% from last weekend and were down 33% from the same weekend last year.
The number one film in the country for the third week in the a row was “Disturbia.” The film raked in $9.1 million for the weekend, bringing its year to date total to $52.2 million.
“The Invisible” rang up $7.6 million in ticket sales, placing second at the box-office for the weekend. It was the highest grossing new release of the slow box-office weekend.
Box-office gurus expected the new Nicholas Cage thriller “Next” to top the box-office. Estimates Friday targeted a $12 million opening weekend, but the film fell short with only $7.2 million at the box-office. “Next” may have been hindered by tepid reviews of the film.
Below is the complete top ten for the weekend of April 27-29.
| Title | Dist. | Weekend Gross | Cumulative Gross | |
| 1 (1) | Disturbia | Paramount Pictures | $9,100,000 | $52,186,000 |
| 2 | The Invisible | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution | $7,606,000 | $7,606,000 |
| 3 | Next | Paramount Pictures | $7,200,000 | $7,200,000 |
| 4 (2) | Fracture | New Line Cinema | $7,075,000 | $21,336,000 |
| 5 (3) | Blades of Glory | Paramount Pictures | $5,200,000 | $108,086,000 |
| 6 (5) | Meet the Robinsons | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution | $4,842,000 | $88,356,000 |
| 7 (6) | Hot Fuzz | Rogue Pictures (Focus) | $4,780,000 | $12,447,000 |
| 8 (4) | Vacancy | Sony Pictures Releasing | $4,200,000 | $13,868,000 |
| 9 | The Condemned | Lionsgate | $4,000,000 | $4,000,000 |
| 10 (7) | Are We Done Yet? | Sony Pictures Releasing | $3,400,000 | $43,818,000 |
I went to see "Next". I don't think it's quite as bad as the critics are making it out to be. I'm surprised that it didn't sell more tickets, considering who's starring in it.
I am deffinatley going to try and see The Invisible and Disturbia this weekend.