Another 3D movie, another opening weekend record and another new standard for IMAX.
The same could be said for Pixar, which has its 11th top-ranked opening in a row in 15 years with the $110.3 million debut in the U.S. and Canada for “Toy Story 3” over the weekend, blowing away Pixar’s previous record-holder, “The Incredibles,” which had $70.5 mil. in 2004. It was also the second biggest opening for any animated film ever and the biggest-ever opening of any film in June.
About 60% of that came from the higher-priced 3D tickets, and much of that came from IMAX, which also set a record for biggest animated film opening in its history with $8.4 million, or 8% of the overall gross from just 2% (180) of the domestic screens (per screen average of approximately $47,000), towering over “Monsters vs. Aliens” ($5.1 mil.) and nearly doubling the $4.8 million for “Shrek Forever After.” It was the first Disney/Pixar film to open in an IMAX theater.
Internationally, “Toy Story 3” grossed about $1.2 million from 47 IMAX theatres. It is scheduled to open on an additional 29 IMAX theatres internationally in the coming days and weeks.
“A film like this is designed to take audiences on an exciting thrill-ride adventure, making it a perfect match for both 3D and IMAX,” said Chick Viane, president, Distribution, The Walt Disney Studios.
“We believe this weekend’s performance demonstrates how the combination of a film that is ideally suited to The IMAX Experience, master filmmaking and a great studio partner translates into a big audience turnout and ultimately strong box-office results,” said Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.
In just its first weekend, “Toy Story 3” has already grossed nearly half of year-to-date grosses for the 4th installment of “Shrek Forever After” ($223 mil.)
— By Scott Hettrick