Buena Vista/Disney's PG rated family comedy Snow Dogs, which was second last week, tied for second place in its third week with a high energy ESTIMATED $13.6 million (-24%) at 2,331 theaters (+138 theaters; $5,580 per theater). Its cume is approximately $39.3 million.
Directed by Brian Levant, it stars Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Coburn.
"I would say that this has been one hell of a weekend for our business," Buena Vista Distribution president Chuck Viane said Sunday morning. "I mean, it's spectacular. I guess we've just offered so much choice this weekend that everybody had a picture to go see.
"And, obviously, the extremely strong holdovers for Snow Dogs and Black Hawk Down were both extremely good. It just all adds up to a wonderful, wonderful weekend. There are six movies that are over $11 million and that's pretty spectacular for the last week of January. All of this is just really good news."
Looking at the strong hold for Snow, Viane observed, "Being off only 23.6 percent for the weekend is a remarkable hold. And, obviously, being at $39 million-plus already is just great. The picture is playing by word of mouth. When a picture can hold up this strong with five new films coming in its face, then I would suggest that it's going to be around for a long time."
Asked where Snow is heading in domestic theatrical release, Viane replied, "Well, I know it's in the $70 millions now, but how high I don't know."
Warner Bros. and Pandora's PG rated youth appeal drama A Walk To Remember opened in a virtual tie for second place with a brisk ESTIMATED $13.57 million at 2,411 theaters ($5,626 per theater).
Directed by Adam Shankman, it stars Shane West and Mandy Moore.
Industry estimates Sunday had Walk somewhat lower in the $12-13 million range, but Warner Bros. Distribution president Dan Fellman said he anticipates stronger than usual Sunday business because of extensive promotion Warner Bros. has done within the Christian community and with Christian media to bring the film to their attention.
"The reason, I would assume, that (others have it estimated lower) is that they probably (have projected) Sunday at around $3 million, which would bring it down to $12.5 million," Fellman said.
"The picture performed very well on Friday and was up 10 percent on Saturday, which is following a pattern that most teen movies would follow--which would mean your Sunday number would probably be close to $3.4 million or maybe $3.5 million."