Will Smith Delivers Legendary Box-office Numbers

Will Smith in I Am Legend courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

Will Smith's I Am Legend topped the weekend box office with a mighty $76.5 million haul, the biggest December opening ever (edging out The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King's $72.6 mil) and a personal best for the former Fresh Prince. Jason Lee's Alvin and the Chipmunks placed second with $45 mil.

Rounding out the top five were The Golden Compass ($9 million), Enchanted ($6 mil) and No Country for Old Men ($3 mil).

Atonement, the most-nommed film for this year's Golden Globes, pulled in $1.85 million across 117 screens. Overall, the top 12 films were up 39 percent from the same weekend a year earlier.

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TV Guide News

Dec 16, 2007 9:24 PM

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I'm a big fan of Will Smith and am sure "I Am Legend" is a great movie. However, I think comparing box office receipts should be by number of tickets not the amount of money earned. It costs more and more every year to see a movie at a theater. Number of tickets would be a more realistic look at the popularity of the movie. It costs a lot more today to see a movie than it did 10 years ago, 20 years ago, etc.

Posted by JanVan57

Dec 16, 2007 11:33 PM

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I don't know what's a sadder possibility, that $45 million worth of ticketbuyers didn't see the Alvin and the Chipmunks trailer where Alvin ate one of Theodore's turds, or that $45 million worth of ticketbuyers did see that trailer.
Posted by brian73107 Dec 17, 2007 12:59 AM Report Abuse

I think comparing box office receipts should be by number of tickets not the amount of money earned. ICAM! ...or that $45 million worth of ticketbuyers did* see that trailer.*
Posted by TV Guide News Dec 17, 2007 7:30 AM Report Abuse

It should be pointed out that the Lord of the Rings films opened on Wednesdays, whereas I Am Legend opened on a Friday. ROTK's five-day take was $250 million worldwide, whereas Legend's will be closer to $85.
Posted by GregoryHarbin Dec 17, 2007 8:54 AM Report Abuse

what does it all matter? was the movie worth it?
Posted by Susan Marvin Dec 17, 2007 11:02 AM Report Abuse

I have not seen I Am Legend. I will never see I Am Legend. Because, even though I know nothing about the plot, there is no way they are going to let that dog live. And he's too cute.
Posted by achyfakey Dec 17, 2007 12:39 PM Report Abuse

what does it all matter? was the movie worth it?

IMHO, YES! At least if we're talking about I Am Legend!

And aachyfakey, I won't comment on if 'Sam' lives or dies, but I'll agree on the cuteness factor. A movie where the bulk of the screentime is between a single actor and a dog could very easily fall flat but this one doesn't and canine star 'Abbey' and trainer Steve Berens deserve at least some of the credit for that.

Posted by serenityblue

Dec 17, 2007 1:52 PM

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45 million? Really?
Posted by NYCGirl Dec 19, 2007 1:39 AM Report Abuse

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