2012 Destroys the Box Office

Though John Cusack’s disaster epic 2012 received mixed reactions from critics, it earned $160 million worldwide and $65 million in North America this weekend, surpassing Sony’s already-confident expectations. “It's going to be a very big success for our studio," said Sony’s president of distribution. And although screening in only 174 theaters in nine cities, the critically adored Precious took in $6.1 million in its second weekend of release, sliding in just under The Men Who Stare at Goats, which opened at $6.2 million in wide release. "The exit polls from last weekend indicated strong word-of-mouth," said Lionsgate’s VP about the success of the indie darling. Finally, Fantastic Mr. Fox had a $65,000 per-screen average in just four theaters—a strong sign that its bigger pre-Thanksgiving rollout will be successful.