On Friday, the day it won six Critics Choice Awards including "best action movie," Avatar was dethroned by Denzel Washington's The Book of Eli at the domestic box office, according to estimates provided by Box Office Mojo. On Day 1, Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes' violent, post-apocalyptic tale earned $11.7 million at 3,111 screens, vs. Avatar's $10.4 million at 3,285 venues. Avatar, of course, has the advantage of higher ticket prices. Its disadvantage, just as obvious, is that Avatar has been around for 28 days.
Also worth noting is that on Friday James Cameron's sci-fi adventure set on the distant moon of Pandora almost — but almost — became the third biggest grosser ever at the domestic box office (not adjusted for inflation or higher 3D/IMAX ticket prices). It was George Lucas' Star Wars with $460.998m vs. Avatar with $460.867m.
But rest assured: sometime earlier today, Avatar became the #3 top grosser at the US/Canada box office. And it may become the weekend's biggest grosser as well, depending on how The Book of Eli fares today and tomorrow. Three weeks ago, Avatar was #2 after Sherlock Holmes on its opening Friday, but Cameron's sci-fier ended up victorious for the three-day weekend.
Despite criticism from right-wing groups and from those that accuse it of being racist, the film has received nominations from the American Cinema Editors, the American Society of Cinematographers, the Writers Guild, the Art Directors Guild, the Directors Guild and the Producers Guild. It's also up for a Best Film (drama) Golden Globe (that's tomorrow) and it'll likely be either the leader or one of the leaders when the Oscar nominations are announced on Feb. 2.
Written and directed by Cameron, Avatar stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, Laz Alonso, Giovanni Ribisi, CCH Pounder, and West Studi.
Photo: Denzel Washington in The Book of Eli (David Lee / Warner Bros.) (top); Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington in Avatar (WETA / 20th Century Fox)
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