Box Office Update for 2/3-2/5: When a Stranger Calls

The horror/thriller genre proves once again that it can open a weekend. When a Stranger Calls takes the top spot this week. Despite not being screened for critics, and rightly so, it drew the fans out of hiding, luring them away from Superbowl preparations to help it reach a record amount for this weekend.

Slipping only one spot, to 2nd , Big Momma's House 2 lost more than 50% of its audience from last week. This may not have fared well with critics, but it has proven to be a big hit for Lawrence. Following right behind it, in another surprise, is Nanny McPhee. I know that family films tend to do well, but this didn't strike me as one that would draw. I guess I was wrong.

The second of the week's new releases is Something New, coming in at number 7. I admit, the trailers did not look all that good, and I am sure that had an impact on lackluster display. I saw the movie, and it is a lot better than the trailers make it out to be.

Outside of those movies, there is only one other notable entry is Walk the Line which is making a return trip to the top ten. Presumably on the strength of its Oscar nominations.

This week's drop offs are Glory Road, Last Holiday, and The Matador which had a brief one week stay at the top.

This Week	Last Week	Title	Wknd Gross	Overall	Week in release
1	N	When a Stranger Calls	$21,607,203	$21,607,203	1
2	1	Big Momma's House 2	$13,600,645	$45,661,165	2
3	2	Nanny McPhee	$9,796,465	$26,535,740	2
4	6	Brokeback Mountain	$6,003,544	$60,102,890	9
5	5	Hoodwinked	$5,307,334	$44,101,550	8
6	3	Underworld: Evolution	$5,302,601	$52,950,739	3
7	N	Something New	$4,879,736	$4,879,736	1
8	4	Annapolis	$3,415,500	$12,883,153	2
9	12	Walk the Line	$3,287,475	$110,611,645	12
10	9	The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe	$3,072,090	$281,934,379	9

Let's close this with a look at the pecking order that I had predicted, and see just how bad I did.

1. (1) When a Stranger Calls. Horror films tend to open well, so this was an easy choice.
2. (2) Big Momma's House 2. I guess I was right that this would still be a draw.
3. (7) Something New. I overestimated this one, I saw it and it deserves to do better.
4. (3) Nanny McPhee. I underestimated this last week, still a bit under. I am surprised by this one.
5. (8) Annapolis. I went a bit high with this one, and it deserves to be slipping. It's not a good movie.
6. (4) Brokeback Mountain. This is still holding steady, although I expected a bit more out of it this week.
7. (5) Hoodwinked. Finished better than I expected. Glad to see it still drawing.
8. (6) Underworld: Evolution. The start of a relatively quick decline.
9. (13) Capote. The newly widened release jumped it up from 24, just not as high as I thought it would.
10. (10) Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Start the list and end it correctly.

Three right, seven wrong. About the same as last week.