HOLLYWOOD - So what is the world's most famous apprentice wizard to do for an encore?As anticipated, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone made history last weekend by earning a record-breaking $90.2 million in its first three days. The blockbuster-apparent lived up to expectations by earning $18.1 million more than previous record holder The Lost World: Jurassic Park. In doing so, Harry Potter also smashed the records for the best, second best and third best single-day grosses.
There was no magic Monday as Harry Potter, taking in $6.6 million for a total of $96.9 million, failed to become the quickest film to make $100 million. Harry Potter would have broken the record had its estimated weekend haul of $93.5 million held true.
Instead, Harry Potter had to wait until Tuesday to make more than $100 million. With $104.5 million in takings through Tuesday, Harry Potter now shares the record of earning $100 million in the fewest days with Star Wars: Episode One--The Phantom Menace, which crossed the milestone in five days in 1999 by bringing in $105.7 million.
Harry Potter will continue to make more money disappear from the pockets of muggles everywhere when the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend begins Wednesday. Unlikely to be hurt by Wednesday's high-profile new releases Spy Game and Black Knight, Harry Potter should retain the No. 1 spot without so much as the wave of a wand. The question is whether Harry Potter can break $200 million faster than Star Wars: Episode One--The Phantom Menace, which did so in 13 days.
This weekend also will determine how high Harry Potter will soar. If it manages to match or exceed the highest five-day Thanksgiving holiday grosses-- $80.1 million by Toy Story 2, $73.5 million by Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas--Harry Potter will likely rocket to a total gross of $350-$400 million.
Regardless, this weekend's smash opening should make turning up for work on the London set of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which begins filming this week, all the more a pleasure. Of course, the pressure is now on director Chris Columbus to recapture the magic of Harry Potter with the second of seven planned films based on J.K. Rowling's series of books.
With Harry Potter safely ensconced at No. 1, the fight is on for the No. 2 spot. After making way at the top, previous box office champ Monsters, Inc. will likely yield the runner-up slot to Spy Game or Black Knight.
Black Knight sees motormouth comedian Martin Lawrence tumble through time to become an unlikely hero in 14th-century England. Once heralded as a post-Rush Hour vehicle for Chris Tucker, this latest variation on A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court now ranks as an important test of Lawrence's box office appeal. Though he enjoyed his biggest hit last year with Big Momma's House ($117.5 million), Lawrence lost his smirk this summer when the prophetically titled What's the Worst That Could Happen? earned $32.2 million, a low for a Lawrence comedy since he shot to fame with 1995's Bad Boys.
Black Knight, though, should connect with those who enjoyed the summer's medieval romp A Knight's Tale, which galloped to $56 million based on its rock 'n 'roll sensibilities.