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Specialty Box Office: Black Swan Soars High Above ‘The Fighter’
While Paramount released The Fighter to an outstanding $320,000 gross in only four theaters, Black Swan expanded to 90 theaters and jumped to 6th place in this week’s box office. $80,000 per theater was enough to give “Fighter” the third best limited debut of the year, but “Swan” held strong with an impressive $37,022 average. In a week where studio debuts like The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader underperformed, numbers in the specialty market looked stronger than ever as audiences prepare for wide releases of their favorite Oscar contenders.
Specialty Box Office: Record First Flight for Aronofsky’s Black Swan
Fox Searchlight is giving thanks a week late. The limited debut for Black Swan set a new record for Fox’s indie arm. 18 theaters is an unusually tall order for a Searchlight limited debut, but “Swan” raked in over $1.3 million on its way to breaking a Searchlight record with a $77,444 average. Stellar projections at the box office for “Swan” will only help Aronofsky cement his status come Oscar time in February.
Specialty Box Office: “The King’s Speech” Rules the Weekend
In a weekend of few specialty debuts, The King’s Speech debuted in four theaters to a 2010 record breaking average of $87,500. Festival buzz has been hovering around the film and Colin Firth’s performance for months, but this weekend’s $350,000 gross has given The Weinstein Company something tangible to be thankful for this holiday season.
Specialty Box Office: Made in Dagenham and White Material Don’t Measure Up for NYC Auds
Other specialty films didn’t manage to pose the promising numbers that “Hours” has been putting up. In regards to this week’s newcomers, Made in Dagenham and White Material posted underwhelming numbers with their launch in three locations (averaging $13,700 and $12,100 respectively).
Specialty Box Office: Tiny Furniture Makes Cozy First Week Debut
In a week marked with few specialty newcomers, Tiny Furniture made a strong statement in grossing $22,450 on only one screen. Even though this screen was in New York City, the film’s setting and home to its most diehard fans, IFC should be optimistic after the festival darling’s first numbers. “Furniture” depicts a bleak portrait of post-graduate life for one girl, but this limited release looks anything but bleak if IFC can find a healthy expansion strategy.
