Warner Bros. Pictures' "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" worked some powerful and much-needed magic at the boxoffice this weekend, levitating an estimate of a $101.4 million pot in its North American bow. With about $80 million in international receipts, the worldwide boxoffice for "Goblet" stands at an impressive $181.4 million.
The sensational domestic debut marked a new high for the franchise, the fourth-biggest nonholiday opening in boxoffice history and the largest opening in the fourth quarter.
The latest installment and fourth film in the "Potter" series, helmed by Mike Newell and starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, marked the first time Warner Bros. had a picture open to more than $100 million. "Goblet" joins an elite club and takes a seat at the table with Sony's "Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man 2," 20th Century Fox's "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith," and DreamWorks' "Shrek 2."
Remarking on the tremendous opening of "Goblet," Fellman said: "It was a real team effort, starting with Alan Horn and Jeff Robinov hiring Mike Newell, who did an outstanding job, Dawn Taubin and her marketing team, especially Jim Fredrick, who has been the creative director from Day 1 on 'Potter' and has been able to keep the campaigns fresh and compelling."
Fellman noted that the PG-13 "Goblet" was the best reviewed of the four Potter films and added, "Not only did the critics agree, but exits support that as well." Fellman said "Goblet" is well-positioned to be a major contender throughout the Christmas holiday.
Imax theaters contributed a record $2.8 million from 66 screens to the weekend's gross for "Goblet," averaging a robust $42,424 per theater. It was the largest Friday, Saturday and Sunday grosses ever reported for an Imax film, whether 2-D or 3-D, Fellman said.
The distributor also is set to make movie history with "Goblet" when it crosses the $200 million mark. "Goblet" will join "Batman Begins" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" as Warner Bros.' third film released this year to reach that level. No studio has had three films gross more than $200 million each in one year.
(SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
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