It was a distinctly dodgy box office weekend in America, though Disney and Paramount will both be celebrating.
Glory Road, an inspirational true story of the first all-black college basketball team, stars Josh Lucas and scored the top place with $13.5 million. But it was only just ahead of Queen Latifah’s latest, Last Holiday, which tells the tale of a shy woman diagnosed with a terminal illness, who decides to take one final European trip. Latifah also saw success, with Last Holiday taking $13 million.
Next on the list was a Shrek-style CG ‘toon take on Little Red Riding Hood. Hoodwinked is the first animated film released by the new Weinstein Company, which opened much higher than expected, at three with $12.2 million.
The Chronicles Of Narnia was the highest-placed returning film, grabbing $10.1 million, bringing its US total to $261.4 million. Last week’s surprise Number 1 Hostel, also held well, taking $9.6 million.
With $8.6 million, Fun With Dick & Jane made it to sixth place, ahead of King Kong. Kong took £7.3 million, with a US total of $202.8 million, which would delight most companies, but continues whispers of disappointment.
Debuting romantic epic Tristan & Isolde took $6.6 million, which is hardly a huge start. Brokeback Mountain, in contrast, scooped $5.8 million, and continues to do well. Finally, Cheaper By The Dozen 2 took position 10, with $5.1 million.
