In a press release today, IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures has announced that their animated feature “Happy Feet: The IMAX Experience,” starring the voices of Elijah Wood (LOTR) and Robin Williams, contributed $2.4 million of the film’s $41.5 million domestic gross on its opening weekend, representing the strongest IMAX opening ever for an animated title.
The IMAX gross came from 79 IMAX theatres, posting a three-day per-screen average of approximately $30,000 from Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19. Happy Feet has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology, said ComingSoon.net.
“We are thrilled with the opening weekend success of Happy Feet in both conventional theatres and IMAX theatres,” said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. “The IMAX version has been well received by moviegoers of all ages, continuing IMAX’s tradition of turning exciting films into events for the entire family.”
“The record-setting box office performance of Happy Feet: The IMAX Experience demonstrates that the consumer demand for event motion pictures in IMAX theatres continues to be strong,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. “IMAX DMR releases have historically performed well during the holidays and with strong advance ticket sales already booked for the next ten days, we believe Happy Feet is poised for continued success in our theatres heading into the long Thanksgiving weekend.”
“Warner Bros. Pictures and George Miller have delivered an inspiring and lovable movie that is ideally suited to The IMAX Experience,” added Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “Audiences of all ages feel like they are actually part of the adventure as the charismatic characters slide their way through a myriad of adventures set against the sweeping ice vistas of the Antarctic on the immersive IMAX screen and the exhilarating soundtrack pumps through 12,000 watts of digital surround sound. We look forward to entertaining even more moviegoers during the upcoming holiday weekend as well as in the ensuing weeks when the film opens in many IMAX theatres internationally.”
“Happy Feet” is set in the great nation of Emperor Penguins, Deep in Antarctica, you’re nobody unless you can sing-which is unfortunate for Mumble (Wood), who is the worst singer in the world. He is born dancing to his own tune…tap dancing. Mumble’s mom, Norma Jean, thinks this little habit is cute, but his dad, Memphis, says “it just ain’t penguin.” Besides, they both know that, without a Heartsong, Mumble may never find true love. Leaving home, Mumble meets the Adelie Amigos, led by Ramon. The Adelies invite Mumble to party with them in Adelie Land, where Mumble seeks the counsel of Lovelace the Guru, a crazy-feathered Rockhopper penguin who will answer any of life’s questions for the price of a pebble. Together with Lovelace and the Amigos, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.
In conventional theaters “Happy Feet” forced the highly anticipated Bond film, “Casino Royale,” starring Daniel Craig as agent 007 into second place on its premiere weekend.
The animated feature film also boasts of the high-octane voice talents of Brittany Murphy (Sin City), Hugh Jackman (X-Men, The Fountain), Nicole Kidman (The Golden Compass) and Hugo Weaving (Matrix, LOTR)
