Update (Sunday, Feb 9th): The Lego Movie opened to $69.1 million (estimated) according to tracking company Rentrak, while Monuments Men opened to $22.7. Both are very respectable, with Men marking the highest opening ever for a George Clooney directed film, and Lego among the highest ever for an original animated film. Lego audiences leaned slightly male, and slightly adult, while Men audiences were 75 percent over the age of 35. That’s a suprising number, and speaks well to the films appeal as older audiences usually avoid opening weekends.
Over New Year’s weekend, Frozen moved up to first place in the North American box office, despite being the seventh week of its run. Many shows sold out, which suggests theaters were unprepared for the demand.
Regal isn’t taking any chances this weekend with the newest family film, The Lego Movie, already collecting scads of critical praise before it’s even released. (Read about the history of Lego animations and see behind the scenes video from the movie.) Regal Crossgates 18 has 16 showings a day, split between standard and 3D. Just a few miles up the road, Regal Colonie Center 13 has 13 showings a day. Both theaters are offering bountiful showings for George Clooney’s historical drama The Monuments Men as well, with 9 and 8 showings per theater, respectively.
Fan’s of classics from the 50’s will feel right at home with The Monuments Men, another love letter from George Clooney to films from that era. Aside from his affection for impersonating Clark Gable, an extended sequence mid-film finds Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett in a very amusing homage to the best Cary Grant / Katharine Hepburn romantic scenes.