Check out the list of the top films of 2010 according to domestic grosses from BoxOfficeMojo.com.

10. THE KARATE KID
Domestic Total Gross: $176,591,618

9. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
Domestic Total Gross: $217,581,231

8. SHREK FOREVER AFTER
Domestic Total Gross: $238,395,990

7. DESPICABLE ME
Domestic Total Gross: $250,588,005

6. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 1
Domestic Total Gross: $274,392,000

5. INCEPTION
Domestic Total Gross: $292,517,082

4. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE
Domestic Total Gross: $300,531,751

3. IRON MAN 2
Domestic Total Gross: $312,128,345

2. ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Domestic Total Gross: $334,191,110

1. TOY STORY 3
Domestic Total Gross: $415,004,880

Other notable mentions: Book of Eli ranked at #27 with $94.8 million, Unstoppable at # 36 with $78 million, Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too? at #50 with $60 million and Takers at #54 with $57.7 million.

The Smiths and Taraji P. Henson did it big with The Karate Kid and clearly Denzel Washington is still one of America’s most loved stars with two of his films in the top 40.

Happy New Year!

SOURCE 1, 2

“We built a bond that I feel transcended through the screen,” says T.I., the star and producer of the number one film in the country, Takers.  That bond was obvious with a powerhouse cast that included Idris Elba, Zoe Saldana, Chris Brown, Michael Ealy and of course T.I.  Although there has been some back and forth regarding whether Takers or The Last Exorcism was number one, the “Live Your Life” rapper-turned-actor talked to BET.com to confirm Takers is number one – plus, he gives us the scoop on a prequel!

How are you, T.I.?
I can’t complain!  The star and producer of the number one movie in the country with the support of the people behind me.  Man, I’m ecstatic!

Takers was in less theaters than its competition but still managed to rock the number one spot.  What do you think it was about this film?
We were in less theaters but we had a higher per screen average, which means after the math was done the number of people that showed up, the number of sold-out shows we had exceeded the number of sold-out shows our competition had.  Although it was believed and perceived that we would fall to the number two slot, the support of the people, word of mouth, the quality of the film and just the energy associated with the project is what catapulted us into the number one slot.  We couldn’t have done it without the people.  We appreciate it!

I’m seeing on various web sites that Takers was number one and then Exorcism was number one.  Why is there this indecisiveness on which film topped the box office?
You know, in film, it’s much different than music; they count dollar for dollar, hour for hour.  In doing that there are estimations that are given — they reported this morning from numbers that came in last night.  With those numbers they estimated the end-all-be-all would be the competition being number one and Takers being number two.  But this morning, after those estimations have already been reported, the final numbers came in from Sunday night.  When all those numbers came in, Takers was indeed number one — officially.  They made estimations and kind of prematurely got that word out and miscalculated.  The final call is Takers is number one.  The people demanded it, as they should — and they got what they wanted.

I know it’s fairly early but do you see anywhere in the future a Takers sequel?
I’m a step ahead of you — I just got off the phone with the director, writer, the head of Screen Gems and the label heads over at Sony.  We are working not a sequel, but a prequel to tell the back story of the characters.

Any last shout outs to all the people from BET and beyond who went out and supported Takers this weekend?
Absolutely, BET was a huge supporter.  We could not have done it without you guys.  Grand Hustle Films thanks you, Sony Pictures thanks you. Also, the people.  In all the theaters in Atlanta, New York — Mount Pleasant, Michigan, they showed up real big.  I’m talking about everywhere!  Dallas, D.C., Philadelphia, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Detroit — everybody showed up real big.  I’m saying this because I’m watching the numbers.  I’m seeing the numbers of people who really showed out at the theaters.  I just want to say I thank you.  On some real sh*t,  it ain’t often that we are able to bring dreams into fruition.  This is one of those times.   I just want to say thank you, I couldn’t have done it without you.  I’m trying to repeat it — I ain’t over!

Takers is in theaters now.

I remember the days when folks complained that $12 was too much for a movie — and “those days” weren’t that long ago. Now, some movie theaters think that $20 is a cool price for a movie, especially if it’s in 3D or an IMAX theatre.

Four theaters in New York City were charging $20 to see the final installment of the Shrek franchise. However, after a bit of New Yorker outrage a statement was AMC Theatres spokesman:

“Unfortunately, a limited number of theaters posted incorrect pricing for Shrek Forever After, which we immediately corrected. Any guest who purchased a ticket at the incorrect price can visit Guest Services for a refund.”

According to CBS News two theaters went down to $17 per ticket and two others went down to $19 per ticket. Not much of an improvement there!

Whatever the case, Shrek Forever After had a strong debut this week, bringing in $71.25 million. It’s the third biggest opening for 2010 (Iron Man 2 $128.1 million, and Alice in Wonderland $116.1 million). However, the last Shrek in 2004 opened with $108 million opening weekend.

Here are the top grossing films for the weekend:

1. Shrek Forever After, $71.25 million
2. Iron Man 2, $26.6 million
3. Robin Hood, $18.7 million
4. Letters to Juliet, $9.1 million
5. Just Wright, $4.2 million

SOURCE

While Avatar is breaking records at the box office, there are a couple things that folks are forgetting — inflation.  Movie ticket sales are higher than they have ever been, especially with the 3D/IMAX premium surcharges that go with an Avatar ticket.  So, when inflation is adjusted, Avatar is currently at #32 for the all-time movie sales.  It still has a long way to go before it truly breaks records.  Alt Film Guide stated:

Things change quite a bit when inflation is added to the box-office accounting — even without considering Avatar’s 3D/IMAX premium surcharges, which can add quite a bit to the cost of a movie ticket. Box Office Mojo estimates that Avatar is now #34 on the all-time domestic box-office chart adjusted for inflation, slightly ahead of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man ($510.7m in 2002) and a few millions behind the Ryan O’Neal-Ali MacGraw vehicle Love Story ($514.4m in 1970). (If 3D/IMAX premium surcharges were included in the calculations, Avatar would be much further behind.)

it’s worth remembering that those are approximations based on average ticket prices — which can vary widely depending on where a movie made most of its money, e.g., a top-dollar New York house, in thousands of cheap small-town theaters, or at 3D/IMAX theaters that charge a premium. It’s also worth remembering that population increases, changes in movie-going demographics, and the growth of entertainment alternatives should all be taken into consideration when comparing the box-office success of movies from different eras.

According to Box Office Mojo, here are the top grossing films of all time:

1. Gone with the Wind (1939)
2. Star Wars Fox (1977)
3. The Sound of Music (1965)
4. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
5. The Ten Commandments (1956)
6. Titanic (1997)
7. Jaws (1975)
8. Doctor Zhivago (1965)
9. The Exorcist (1973)
10. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Source 1, 2

Big congratulations to The Princess and the Frog for rocking the number one spot at the box office this weekend with over 25 million. According to Hollywood.com, Princess set a record for the “biggest debut for an animated film in December.”  The screen life will last throughout the holiday season so hopefully the Disney flick will reach the 100 million mark.

Here is a review of The Princess and the Frog and an interview with the princess herself, Anika Noni Rose.

In related news, Rose had a hot battle for the role of Tiana. According to The View, where Rose appeared this past Friday, the Tony winner beat out heavyweights like Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks (hmmmm…), Beyonce Knowles and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson.

How do you think the other four would’ve worked as Disney’s first African-American princess?

As if we are shocked…

This shouldn’t be a shock that Michael Jackson’s This Is It has rocked the box office since its release on Wednesday.  The film brought in over 23 million over the weekend, hitting number one at the box office.  It’s the second best performing concert film opening weekend, next to the Hannah Montana concert. In addition, This Is It is the fourth highest-grossing Halloween debut recorded.

Now, after only a little over five days the movie has made over 106 million worldwide, which is more than the complete total for the Hannah Montana concert.

The concert has been filled with rave reviews and reports across the web are fans are extremely happy.  Furthermore, there is some buzz that the flick might receive some Oscar nominations, especially under best documentary.

If you haven’t seen This Is It, get your ticket now. You only have a little over a week to see it.  The movie is open for two weeks… unless they decide the demand is so high!

In a limited release, Chris Rock’s Good Hair brought in over one million at the box office, even though it was only playing in 186 screens. The film’s producer, Nelson George, told BET.com, “We did well over $1 million in only five markets in the opening weekend with high per screen averages. We are extremely pleased with that start. Word of mouth about the film online has been amazingly positive.”

From Oprah to Wendy Williams, everyone has been talking about Good Hair. In addition, the film has received rave reviews from nearly every major outlet: The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and the legendary Roger Ebert.

George continues, “This Friday we open up in Canada and then Octobr 23rd we go wide in the States, hitting 600 theaters every place black folks rest their head. We hope to go down as one of the most important docs of 2009 and feel we are well on our way to fulfilling that goal.”

Congrats to Nelson George, Chris Rock, Nia Long and everyone else involved in Good Hair.  The movie is clearly one of this year’s best.

The Hangover is relentlessly hanging on at the box office — beating out legends like Denzel Washington and John Travolta on their opening weekend. For the second week in a row The Hangover - the comedy that includes an appearance from Mike Tyson – rocked the number one spot at the box office. This is only the second movie this year to spend two consecutive weeks at #1, the other was Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail in February. Washington and Travolta’’s The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 brought in $25 million and ranked at #3 this weekend.

Eddie Murphy’s Imagine That, which was met with mixed reviews, made $5.7 million charting at #6 for the box office this weekend. This is a slight increase from Meet Dave from last year, which only brought in $5 million. However, the movie did not even top Night at the Museum 2, which was released over a month ago.

1. The Hangover $33.4 million

2. Up $30.5 million

3. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 $25.0 million

4. Night at the Museum $9.6 million

5. Land of the Lost $9.2 million

6. Imagine That $5.7 million

What movie did you see this weekend?

As expected, Star Trek annihilated the weekend, racking in $72.5 million. It’s the biggest opening in the history of the Star Trek franchise and and the second biggest opening of 2009 (X-Men Origins: Wolverine being number one). According to Entertainment Weekly:

Considering all the hype and buzz and strong reviews that Star Trek has garnered, it’s no surprise that this film’s opening sum is by far the biggest of any Star Trek movie: Of the nine previous flicks in the franchise, 1996’s Star Trek: First Contact bowed best, with (only) $30.7 mil over three days. Moreover, a look at the movie’s CinemaScore report card reveals some potentially good news. While it drew an expected crowd mostly comprised of older males, Star Trek’s solid-A grade shows that word of mouth could be strong enough to bring in fans outside of the franchise’s usual demographic (i.e. people who weren’t alive in the 1980s…and women) as the weeks go on.

Obsessed managed to stay in the top four.  Benny Boom’s Next Day Air, the only other mainstream movie that opened this weekend was at #6 with 4 million.  Here is the complete list:

1. Star Trek, $72.5 million
2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine, $27 million
3. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, $10.5 million
4. Obsessed, $6.6 million
5. 17 Again, $4.4 million
6. Next Day Air, $4 million
7. The Soloist, $3.6 million
8. Monsters vs. Aliens, $3.4 million
9. Earth, $2.5 million
10. Hannah Montana: The Movie, $2.4 million

What movie did you check out this weekend?

Regardless of bad reviews,  rumors, or the other competitive movies opening this weekend –  Obsessed pulled in 28 million dollars at the box office this weekend.  According to Entertainment Weekly:

“Despite a widespread critical drubbing (Metacritic smacked it with a 22 score), Obsessed clearly tapped into a female-driven audience bloodlusting for some schlocky, catfighting fun with its story of a woman (Knowles) battling to keep a mentally unhinged secretary (Ali Larter) from stealing her husband (Idris Elba). Knowles’ full-court media press last week certainly didn’t hurt either: Nearly doubling many prognosticator’s estimates (including that of EW’s own Joshua Rich), Knowles pulled in her biggest three-day opening since 2002’s Austin Powers in Goldmember.”

Another success this weekend was the documentary Tyson, which was only in eleven theaters but performed well.  Variety reports: “James Toback’s  Tyson posted a middleweight per-screen average of $7,817 as the documentary grossed an estimated $85,982 opening in 11 theaters in New York and Los Angeles.”

Here is the complete list:

1. Obsessed $28,500,000
2. 17 Again $11,665,000
3. Fighting $11,441,000
4. The Soloist $9,715,000
5. Earth $8,554,000

What movie did you check out this weekend?