Hollywood.saw sharp declines across the board at the box office over the post-Thanksgiving weekend as moviegoing gave way to holiday shopping. Buena Vista/Disney and Pixar's G-rated computer-animated blockbuster "Toy Story 2" held on to first place in its third weekend with a 50% drop that reflected how most films in the marketplace performed. "Toy 2" snapped up a still hefty estimated $28.30 million (-50%) at 3,238 theaters (+2 theaters, $8,734 per theater). Its total is approximately $117.3 million, heading for a domestic theatrical total of $250 million-plus. "Toy 2's" per-theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide release last weekend. Directed by John Lasseter, it features the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight, Laurie Metcalf, Este
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2000 - Never underestimate the power of Mr. Potato Head. "Toy Story 2," featuring the talents of the aforementioned tater fellow along with other assorted playthings, approached the $220 million mark this week -- securing the spot as the second highest-grossing animated feature of all time.As of Tuesday, "Toy 2" - a computer-animated venture from Disney and Pixar -- had grossed $219.7 million, surpassing 1992's "Aladdin" (also from Disney) which now stands at No. 3 with $217.4 million, according to Baseline Inc., the entertainment industry data service. "Toy Story 2," which was released during the Thanksgiving weekend and is still holding strong among the Top 10 films (it was No. 6 last weekend), is now second only to "The Lion King," the top-grossing animated movie ever, with domestic ticket sales of more than $312 million. In a
There was a close race for first place between Buena Vista/Disney and Pixar's animated blockbuster "Toy Story 2" and Warner Bros. and Castle Rock Entertainment's opening of the drama "The Green Mile." Based on Sunday's estimates, the G-rated "Toy 2" held on to the top spot on the chart, but only by a nose. When the box office dust settles Monday, it is possible that because the two films were so close in the estimates, they could wind up reversing positions. Working against "Mile" was the fact that its adult audience is busy with holiday shopping and office parties. An additional negative for "Mile" is that its three-hour running time gives it fewer performances per day than "Toy 2" has with its running time of about 90 minutes. To some extent, however, "Mile's" broad release at 2,875 theaters gives it the potential to take in big grosses even with fewer showings per da