Lionsgate’s “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” set a new record for films opening in limited release.
The indie movie’s weekend take of $1.8 million from just 18 theaters is the best gross ever for a film opening in fewer than 100 theaters, reports Variety. Last year, by comparison, Focus Features’ “Milk” grossed $268,487 from 34 theaters on its first Friday.
The LA Times is reporting that the studio behind “Precious,” Lionsgate and its hybrid strategy — playing “Precious” in both highbrow theaters, and in African American communities — worked extremely well.
In LA, for instance, “Precious” played at the Landmark in West L.A. and ArcLight Hollywood, more upscale locations, as well as the Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15, which draw large African American crowds. It also opened this weekend in Atlanta, Chicago and New York.
Interestingly the paper said that a small majority of moviegoers were black, and a lopsided 68% were female.
Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for ifn you live outside LA, NY, Chicago and Atlanta. Lionsgate is planning to build quickly on the positive momentum for “Precious.” On Friday, it will open in Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, as well as expand in the cities where it is currently playing, bringing its total theater count to more than 200. On Nov. 20, it will start playing nationwide.
“It was a fantastic start, but this is our launch, and our goal is to keep it in theaters for a long time to come,” said David Spitz, executive vice president of distribution for Lionsgate.
Meanwhile, Sony’s Michael Jackson documentary “This Is It” jumped the $100 million mark at the foreign box office Thursday, earning more than double the film’s domestic haul of $43.8 million.
That put “This Is It’s” worldwide total at nearly $144 million as the film headed into its second weekend of play, Variety reported.
The foreign box office is led by Japan, where “This Is It” has grossed $18.2 million. That’s followed by the U.K. at $11.1 million, Germany at $8.9 million and France at $8.7 million.(Source)
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