Weekend Box Office numbers are in! ‘Water for Elephants’ takes in $17.5 mil

Posted on April 24, 2011 by

Update: From THR saying WFE is off to to a good start

Overperforming in its opening was Fox 2000’s period circus romance Water for Elephants, which debuted to $17.5 million from 2,817 locations. Based on Sara Gruen’s bestselling book and directed by Francis Lawrence, the film stars Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson and Christoph Waltz.

Water for Elephants drew an A- CinemaScore, and played heavily to adult women. Females made up 70% of the audience, while 70% were over the age of 25. The film’s successful opening is a win for Fox’s marketing team, which targeted fans of the book, as well as playing up the love story.

“It is a great number for an adult film. When a movie shows emotion, that’s what draws you in,” Fox senior vice president of domestic distribution Bert Livingston said. “This really overperformed, and will have great legs.”

From Deadline.com

“Scoring an “A-” CinemaScore was Fox 2000′s Water For Elephants based on Sara Gruen’s best-selling book and written by Richard LaGravenese and directed by Francis Lawrence. Clearly, the classy ad campaign was intriguing for adults who don’t rush out to see films, and for Robert Pattinson’s Twi-hards who do. But this beautifully filmed but searing drama was considered a hard sell.”

1. Rio 3D (Blue Sky Studio/Fox) Week 2 [3,842 Theaters]
Friday $10.7M, Saturday $9.7M, Easter Weekend $26.5M (-32%), Cume $80.9M

2. Madea’s Big Happy Family (Tyler Perry/Lionsgate) NEW [2,288 Theaters]
Friday $10.5M, Saturday $9.2M, Easter Weekend $26M

3. Water For Elephants (Fox 2000/Fox) NEW [2,817 Theaters]
Friday $7M, Saturday $6.8M, Easter Weekend $17.5M

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About deb24601

I write stuff. About books, music, movies... occasionally about Robert Pattinson. *whistles* I blog with WaterforElephantsFilm.com and CosmopolisFilm.com.
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  • rpattzgirl

    YAY!!!!! We need to make it strong for next weekend as well…2nd weekend very important!

  • teresa

    when i went to see WFE the audience was middle age couples 85% and look like they enjoyed it I know I did (: going again next wk

  • Kim

    I’m so glad! Are those good numbers then? Is it OK? I don’t know anything about all this box office stuff. Does anyone know?

  • Maria

    I really enjoyed WFE. Went to see it for the first time at the 12:01 showing on Friday April 22rd. Also went to see it Saturday and will be going again next weekend. By the way I am well over 25 but it does not matter how young or old you are to enjoy a good movie. I have seen every movie that Mr. Pattinson has been in and he should not be judged by Twilight alone. He is a very good actor and will be around for quite a while.

    • Linda

      I’m with you, Maria! Well over 25 here too and cannot take my eyes off Rob. So talented and special!

    • CAROL

      I agree. I have seen Rob in many movies. I think he is a very good actor. I hate it when these interviewers ask him “how does it feel to be in a real movie” talking about Water for Elephants. I think that the TwiMovies are real movies. Just because it is about Vampires and Werewolves it is considered not a real film. Little Ashes, Remember Me, and How to be were all good films that show Rob Pattinson as a good actor.

  • enviro

    Whoopee! Just looked this up on box office mojo and knew I could see more here. I am very pleased. Yes, I would have preferred them to win the weekend, OK. But this is a very reasonable showing! The reviews were just so-so so I think this is a win! I hope Rob is happy. :)

    I’m a bad fan BTW who hasn’t seen it yet! Wednesday night here we come! Two ladies. :) Hopefully with Mr. enviro over the weekend but I just couldn’t wait that long.

  • Kelli

    I have seen it 3 times and I love it so much! I can’t tell you how proud I am of Robert! He was so perfect for the role of Jacob!!!!! He is Edward and he is Jacob Jankowski and he will be Eric Packer as well! that is what a GREAT actor does!!!!! LOVE him and love this movie!

  • Bettybmusing

    They are  coming around the bend it’s the last lap ….its Snarky critics…no its Pattinson’s Ladies…. No it’s Snarky Critics…they are almost to the finish line…..oooooh… Snarky Critics stumble…its a pile up..can someone get a medic? That’s going to leave a scar…Oh well.., Pattinson Ladies cross the finish line without a hair out of place. What a race!!! Hey can I get a copy of that replay ? WOW

  • http://www.flash1300numbers.com.au 1300 numbers

    I recently am a movie follower. I ‘m not really a fun of Twilight because when I read the books I think they are not for the role(Robert and Kristen). I don’t know maybe because of the book adapted to a movie thing. If you say that Robert is that a good actor maybe I’ll try to watch WFE. Hope my impression of him change.