Different Ways Transformers Was Number One

In an article attempting to give movie critics credibility (and to me doing just the opposite), Slate.com posted a few new ways that Transformers was number one (US only) at the box office last year. As always, it’s just how you play with the numbers.

The thrust of the article is that if you calculate the income of a movie by a per theatre or per screen basis, you better a better idea of its performance and through the author's calculations, good reviews can add dollars to the per screen average for a film. "Almost any way you slice it, if a majority of critics like a movie, chances are it will do better at the box office than a similar film the majority of critics don't like."

On this I call BS. Being a journalist (and therefore needing to justify his declining importance), he neglects to remember the common man that goes to these movies, talks to friends, posts blog and forum comments and basically through the wonderful world of "word of mouth" probably has a far greater impact on a film then the collective of critics ever will. It’s the one thing that publicists and movie studios forget about...the public sharing their opinions is probably the most important factor in a movies success. So in that regards, yes "quality matters" but then I think pretty much everyone already knew that. The goal is always quality, sadly movies just fall short.

Anyway, thanks to his calculations, we have new ways to declare Transformers number one and really that is all that matters. So out of 237 films for 2007, Transformers was number one with a per theatre take of $12,366. However, theatres play movies on multiple screens Transformers is number one there too with $8,887 per screen average. So the take away of this little thing is Transformers is Number One...depending on how you play with the numbers. Thanks to Josh for the link.

Transformers Crosses $700 Million Mark

On the eve of the US DVD release of Transformers, it seemed like a good time to check out the mostly final box office numbers for theatrical release. The numbers have really changed dramtically since last checked. The main thing is the movie crossed the $700 million worldwide gross mark. Impressive considering that the other films in the top five are all sequels and most viewers probably didn't really know what Transformers where until the movie. I don't think the numbers include IMAX sales, but could be wrong. If it doesn't then more then likely the additional sales would bump Transformers include the number 2 spot in sales for the US.

Top 5 Movies US for 2007:
1. Spider-Man 3 - 336.5 million
2. Shrek 3 - 321.0 million
3. Transformers - 317.6 million
4. Pirates 3 - 309.4 million
5. Harry Potter 5 - 291.0 million

Top 5 Movies Worldwide for 2007:
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 309.4 million
Total Foreign: 651.6 million
Worldwide Total: 961.0 million

2. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 291.0 million
Total Foreign: 645.2 million
Worldwide Total: 936.2 million

3. Spider-Man 3:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1million
Total Domestic: 336.5 million
Total Foreign: 554.0 million
Worldwide Total: 890.5 million

4. Shrek 3:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 321.0 million
Total Foreign: 470.7 million
Worldwide Total: 791.7 million

5. Transformers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 70.5 million
Total Domestic: 317.6 million
Total Foreign: 383.2 million
Worldwide Total: 700.8 million

Harry Potter 5 IMAX Numbers

With Transformers coming the IMAX on September 21, I figured some would fine the recent release of Harry Potter 5 IMAX "record" box office numbers of interest. In its 7-week release, Harry 5 pulled in $35 million worldwide (24M from 91 US prints and 11M from 52 overseas prints). The film averaged a $243,000 average per screen. These numbers "Order is now the highest grossing live-action IMAX release of all time."

The numbers overall are impressive for IMAX but not in the overall box office grand scheme of things and may explain why IMAX remains a every now and thing for movies. I also having a feeling that the main reason for the IMAX release is the hope that the bump will make Transformers the number 2 movie for 2007 in the US which it might just succeed at. I doubt the bump will be enough to get past 5th place worldwide. Overseas sales simply failed to do the 2x performance of US sales that the other 4 movies ahead of it where able to do. However, that's not really a criticism. Considering the competition, all sequels, tts the first movie of a franchise. If the sequel performs the same overseas, that might be cause for concern, but for a first movie of an unknown franchise, the numbers remain outstanding and something Bay and co. should be proud of. Below stats are from Box Office Mojo.

Top 5 Movies US for 2007:
1. Spider-Man 3 - 336.5 million
2. Shrek 3 - 321 million
3. Transformers - 310.8 million
4. Pirates 3 - 308.7 million
5. Harry Potter 5 - 287.0 million

Top 5 Movies non-US for 2007:
1. Pirates 3 - 651.1 million
2. Harry Potter 5 - 625.0 million
3. Spider-Man 3 - 553.7 million
4. Shrek 3 - 436.5 million
5. Transformers - 375.0 million

Top 5 Movies Worldwide for 2007:
1. Pirates 3 - 959.8 million
2. Harry Potter 5 - 912.0 million
3. Spider-Man 3 - 890.2 million
4. Shrek 3 - 757.5 million
5. Transformers - 685.8 million

Transformers Moves To 3rd For US Box Office

Transformers may not be in many theatres now as it was but its still making enough money to move into third place for US box office gross for 2007 with a $308.6 million total sqeaking it just past Pirates 3 with $308.1 million. Not bad for a "toy" movie. Sadly momemtum world wide has slowed so I doubt Transformers will move up anymore slots but still an outstanding performance that probably has everyone in the film involved puffing their chests out (and a few throwing birds at the naysayers).

Top 5 Movies US for 2007:
1. Spider-Man 3 - 336.5 million
2. Shrek 3 - 321 million
3. Transformers - 308.6 million
4. Pirates 3 - 308.1 million
5. Harry Potter 5 - 283.2 million

Top 5 Movies Worldwide for 2007:
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 308.1 million
Total Foreign: 649.6 million
Worldwide Total: 957.7 million

2. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 283.2 million
Total Foreign: 612.2 million
Worldwide Total: 895.4 million

3. Spider-Man 3:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1million
Total Domestic: 336.5 million
Total Foreign: 553.7 million
Worldwide Total: 890.2 million

4. Shrek 3:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 321 million
Total Foreign: 415.5 million
Worldwide Total: 736.5 million

5. Transformers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 67.6 million
Total Domestic: 308.6 million
Total Foreign: 354.4 million
Worldwide Total: 663.0 million

Transformers Week 7 Final Numbers

Week 7 numbers are in for Transformers and weekend sales and it remains off the top 10 list but still added another $30 million in sales worldwide. After this weekend its now 24th for all time US sales, just a million behind Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Not bad for a "toy commercial" (snark). It doesn't look like it will become the top movie of the year but odds are good it shall be in the top 5 (bigger budget for the sequel hopefully as a result).

Top 5 Movies US for 2007:
1. Spider-Man 3 - 336.5 million
2. Shrek 3 - 321 million
3. Pirates 3 - 307.8 million
4. Transformers - 306.5 million
5. Harry Potter 5 - 278.7 million

Top 5 Movies Worldwide for 2007:
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 307.8 million
Total Foreign: 648.4 million
Worldwide Total: 956.2 million

2. Spider-Man 3:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1million
Total Domestic: 336.5 million
Total Foreign: 553.7 million
Worldwide Total: 890.2 million

3. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 278.7 million
Total Foreign: 594 million
Worldwide Total: 872.7 million

4. Shrek 3:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 321 million
Total Foreign: 415.4 million
Worldwide Total: 736.4 million

5. Transformers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 67.6 million
Total Domestic: 306.5 million
Total Foreign: 353.7 million
Worldwide Total: 660.2 million

Final BO Numbers for Week 6

Final numbers, including overseas are in. The estimates and the final numbers for the US where pretty much the same so no change in order. Overseas sales added another $33 million to the totals now surpassing the US in spending. Its possible that Transformers might top $700 million worldwide but its going to be close. Also looks like Transformers might top Pirates 3 by end of next week for the US (might help the size of the budget for the next movie).

Top 5 Movies US for 2007:
1. Spider-Man 3 - 336.4 million
2. Shrek 3 - 321 million
3. Pirates 3 - 307.6 million
4. Transformers - 302.9 million
5. Harry Potter 5 - 272 million

Top 5 Movies Worldwide for 2007:
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 307.6 million
Total Foreign: 647.1 million
Worldwide Total: 951.8 million

2. Spider-Man 3:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1million
Total Domestic: 336.4 million
Total Foreign: 553.6 million
Worldwide Total: 890 million

3. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 272 million
Total Foreign: 550 million
Worldwide Total: 822 million

4. Shrek 3:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 321 million
Total Foreign: 412 million
Worldwide Total: 733 million

5. Transformers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 67.6 million
Total Domestic: 302.9 million
Total Foreign: 328.8 million
Worldwide Total: 631.7 million

Transformers Week 6 Estimates

Week 6 box office estimates are out and sadly Transformers is no longer in the top 10 due to its $3.2 million weekend haul. That is actually a good haul for a 6 week old movie nowadays and if not for all the other new movies that came out since then it would probably be ranked higher. Its also enough to cracked the $300 million point for the US and most likely will for rest of the world once the overseas totals come out tomorrow bringing its total to well over $600 million.

Rush Hour 3 took the top spot and sadly the fantastic Stardust had a very poor 9 million showing for the weekend so it tanked. Sucks too cause while watching it was thinking "now is a good time for a The Neverending Story" remake with a Peter Jackson type director with the gift for the epic. Oh well, maybe the DVD will sell well.

Top 5 films for the weekend:
1. Rush Hour 3: 50.2 million
2. Bourne Ultimatum: 33.6 million
3. Simpsons Movie: 11.1 million
4. Stardust: 9.0 million
5. Underdog: 6.4 million

Top 5 films for 2007:
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 307.4 million
Total Foreign: 647.1 million
Worldwide Total: 954.5 million

2. Spider-Man 3 Numbers:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1million
Total Domestic: 336.2 million
Total Foreign: 553.5 million
Worldwide Total: 889.8 million

3. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix Numbers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 272.0 million
Total Foreign: 550.0 million
Worldwide Total: 822.0 million

4. Shrek 3 Numbers:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 321.0 million
Total Foreign: 406.5 million
Worldwide Total: 727.5 million

5. Transformers Numbers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 67.6 million
Total Domestic: 302.9 million
Total Foreign: 296.7 million
Worldwide Total: 599.6 million

Final Week 5 Numbers

The final numbers including foreign box office is now in. No real change from the estimates but Transformers did get a $50 million boost from overseas sales which only helps the bottom line. How long the engine lasts is really the only questions that remains. The US sales are going to continue to slow down so while the numbers will grow, it will not be in the 10s of millions of dollars it was before (but probably still enough to be the #3 movie of the year for the US). At this point, the foreign grosses are the numbers to pay attention to because they should continue to add a good chunk of change to the totals for at least a few more weeks.

Top 5 Movies US for 2007:
1. Spider-Man 3 - 336.3 million
2. Shrek 3 - 320.7 million
3. Pirates 3 - 307.3 million
4. Transformers - 296.4 million
5. Harry Potter 5 - 261 million

Top 5 Movies for 2007:
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 307.3 million
Total Foreign: 644.5 million
Worldwide Total: 951.8 million

2. Spider-Man 3:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1million
Total Domestic: 336.3 million
Total Foreign: 553.5 million
Worldwide Total: 889.8 million

3. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 261 million
Total Foreign: 510 million
Worldwide Total: 771 million

4. Shrek 3:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 320.7 million
Total Foreign: 406.3 million
Worldwide Total: 727 million

5. Transformers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 67.6 million
Total Domestic: 296.4 million
Total Foreign: 295 million
Worldwide Total: 591.4 million

Transformers Week 5 Box Office Estimates

The weekend estimates are out and to the Bourne Ultimatum (great movie) is now king of the box office. At least until next weekend. Transformers dropped again taking in 5.9 million for the weekend. These numbers are estimates and don't include foreign numbers nor the film opening in Japan this weekend. The numbers seem low but according to Box Office Mojo, "Transformers remains in the running to surpass Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End as the third-biggest grosser of the summer." I think this is based on a pattern where year leaders' foreign sales tend to be around 2 times the domestic sales, pretty much cementing to me that a successful film is no longer about how it opens in the United States but how it opens globally. If the powers that be at the studios have any brains they will pay a great deal of attention to this pattern and market accordingly. Potter 5 for instance probably benefited (among other reasons of course) from a simultaneous worldwide opening, already slipping into the 3rd spot for the year.

Weekend numbers in millions:
1. The Bourne Ultimatum - $70.2 million
2. The Simpsons Movie - $25.6 million ($128,550,000)
3. Underdog - $12 million
4. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry - $10.5 million ($91,697,000)
5. Hairspray - $9.3 million ($78,954,000)
6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - $9.3 millino ($260,790,000)
7. No Reservations - $6.6 million ($24,157,000)
8. Transformers - $5.9 million ($296,308,000)
9. Hot Rod - $5 million
10. BRATZ $4.3 million

Top 5 Movies for 2007:
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 307.1 million
Total Foreign: 644.4 million
Worldwide Total: 951.6 million

2. Spider-Man 3:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1million
Total Domestic: 336 million
Total Foreign: 553 million
Worldwide Total: 889 million

3. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 260.8 million
Total Foreign: 509.7 million
Worldwide Total: 770.5 million

4. Shrek 3:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 320.2 million
Total Foreign: 398.7 million
Worldwide Total: 718.9 million

5. Transformers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 67.6 million
Total Domestic: 296.3 million
Total Foreign: 249.5 million
Worldwide Total: 545.8 million

Final Numbers for 4 Week

Monday has come and gone and here are the final numbers for week 4 including domestic box office. Thanks to foreign sales boosted by openings in U.K, France, Hong Kong and Belgium, Transformers has tipped over the half a billion mark. I guess all thats last is Japan and Germany and the movie will finally have been released worldwide.

Top 5 Movies of 2007:
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End numbers:
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 306.9 million
Total Foreign: 640.6 million
Worldwide Total: 947.5 million

2. Spider-Man 3 Numbers:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1million
Total Domestic: 336.0 million
Total Foreign: 552.8 million
Worldwide Total: 888.8 million

3. Shrek 3 Numbers:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 319.8 million
Total Foreign: 398.4 million
Worldwide Total: 718.2 million

4. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix Numbers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 242.4 million
Total Foreign: 454 million
Worldwide Total: 969.4 million

5. Transformers Numbers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 67.6 million
Total Domestic: 284.7 million
Total Foreign: 248.5 million
Worldwide Total: 533.2 million

Weekend Box Office Estimates

End of the weekend comes the latest box office estimates. The values will probably change with final numbers coming Monday and don't include updated foreign sales from the last week.

Weekend numbers in millions:
1. Simpsons $71.8
2. Chuck and Larry $19.0
3. Harry Potter 5 $17.0
4. Hairspray $15.5
5. No Reservations $11.7
6. Transformers $11.5

Top 5 Movies for 2007:
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 306.4 million
Total Foreign: 640.6 million
Worldwide Total: 947.1 million

2. Spider-Man 3 Numbers:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1million
Total Domestic: 335.6 million
Total Foreign: 552.8 million
Worldwide Total: 888.4million

3. Shrek 3 Numbers:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 319.2 million
Total Foreign: 382.2 million
Worldwide Total: 702.0 million

4. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix Numbers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 241.7 million
Total Foreign: 351.3 million
Worldwide Total: 593.0 million

5. Transformers Numbers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 67.6 million
Total Domestic: 262.9 million
Total Foreign: 146.6 million
Worldwide Total: 409.6 million

Final Box Office Numbers For Week 3

The adjusted and final numbers are out for Transformers and other movies including updated foreign sales. Suffice it to say, Dreamworks must be pleased with a worldwide gross of $453,612,650, $263 million that from the US and $190 from foreign markets. This is a number that doesn't even include the 4 largest markets (or countries) - Japan (out 8/4/07), U.K. (out 7/27/07), Germany (out don't know), and France (out don't know). Thanks to Harry Potter 5 worldwide release, its already jumped to #4 for movies for 2007, most of that money from overseas sales. Once the above 4 countries get Transformers, hopefully that will change (mostly for bragging rights).

Top 5 for 2007

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 306.0 million
Total Foreign: 634.0 million
Worldwide Total: 940.1 million

2. Spider-Man 3:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1 million
Total Domestic: 335.6 million
Total Foreign: 552.8 million
Worldwide Total: 888.4 million

3. Shrek 3:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 319.9 million
Total Foreign: 382.7 million
Worldwide Total: 701.6 million

4. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 207.8 million
Total Foreign: 351.3 million
Worldwide Total: 559.1 milliion

5. Transformers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 67.6 million
Total Domestic: 263 million
Total Foreign: 190.6 million
Worldwide Total: 453.6 million

Week 3 Estimated Box Office

Its been about 20 days since the U.S. release of Transformers and the money keeps flowing. According to weekend box office estimates, The Transformers came in 4th this weekend with a respectable $20.5 million. Hairspray was 3rd with $27.9, Harry Potter took a 58% hit in its second week (TF only had a 47%) taking in $32.2 million and Chuck and Larry was number 1 with $34.8 million.

Now these are only estimates so the numbers could change a little but doubt enough to effect the rankings. With the Simpsons coming next week should be interesting to see what effect it may have on these films. I suspect that all the bad reviews for Chuck and Larry will result in a massive nose dive (say 65%), Harry Potter will hold mostly steady now that the Book 7 release is done (excellent book btw), and Hairspray can only go down too.

Below are the over-all standings for the top 5 films of 2007, foreign estimates are from last Tuesday so will only go up in a few days. One thing these numbers show is foreign dollars (the rest of the world) is going to have more and more an impact on the decisions that Hollywood as the domestic box office is no longer indicative of whether a movie is a success or not.

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Budget: 300 million
Opening Weekend: 114.7 million
Total Domestic: 306.0 million
Total Foreign: 634.0 million
Worldwide Total: 940.1 million

2. Spider-Man 3 Numbers:
Budget: 258 million
Opening Weekend: 151.1million
Total Domestic: 335.3 million
Total Foreign: 550.9 million
Worldwide Total: 886.2million

3. Shrek 3 Numbers:
Budget: 160 million
Opening Weekend: 121.6 million
Total Domestic: 318.5 million
Total Foreign: 361.2 million
Worldwide Total: 679.7 million

4. Transformers Numbers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 67.6 million
Total Domestic: 262.9 million
Total Foreign: 146.6 million
Worldwide Total: 409.6 million

5. Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix Numbers:
Budget: 150 million
Opening Weekend: 77.4 million
Total Domestic: 207.5 million
Total Foreign: 193.0 million
Worldwide Total: 400.5 milliion

Final Numbers For Transformers Week 2

The official numbers are now out for Transformers including update foreign box office grosses. Currently Transfomers remains ahead of Harry 5 in the worldwide money making department but I doubt that lead will remain. Not really suprised, its Harry 5, thats 4 DVDs, 6 books, lots of TV and cable time and so forth to help promote the current film. Still, for unknown property to most, Transformers held its own.

The revised numbers show that Transformers only lost 47% by taking in $47.1 million rather then 49% and $36 million as the estimates reported. It standing at $224 million in 13 days for the U.S. The total for rest of the world (with still major countries not yet released in) is $146.6 million for a total of $370.7 million. Basically an impresive showing for a new franchise that may rival Spider-Man when its all said and done if handled well.

Transformers:
U.S.A.: $224.009,583
Foriegn: $146,657,283
Total: $370,666,866

Harry Potter 5:
U.S.A.: $139,715,157
Foriegn: $193,000,000
Total: $332,715,157

Transformers Week 2 Box Office

This week it was Transformers vs Harry Potter for the box office dollar and as expected Harry Potter won. According to CNN, Harry Potter 5 made and estimated $77.4 million over the weekend to Transformers $36 million. As a result, Potter made $140 million in the US and a huge $190.3 for 44 markets in other countries bringing its worldwide gross to $330.3 million. Transformers at the end of week two is sitting on $223 million for the U.S. and $98 for rest of the world with a total of $330 million. So technically Harry passed Transformers in its first week. However, Transformers still have France, Great Britan, Japan and a few other major markets to open in. Nor is the foreign gross estimate up to date.

The numbers are not surprising when its a new franchise vs an established franchise. Nor a surprise when Transformers was released on 4000 screens in the U.S. and piecemeal across the world (with major markets to go) and Harry Potter was released on on 9000 screens in the U.S. and worldwide in all markets.

While I think the 9000 screens is a bit excessive, Transformers decisions makers should note the success of the simultaneous worldwide release and copy it for Transformers II. Really though, considering the number of screens and the history of the Potter films, Transformers more then held its own. Usually in the face of such competition, everyone else gets lost in the crowd but instead had a weekend that most movies brag about. It should also be noted it "only" dropped 49% from the previous weekend. Considering the average film looses about 60-65% percent from one weekend to the next, that's a pretty darn good number. It looks like the race for summer box office champ is still undecided. Harry 5 is the last major film of this class for the summer. How much it drops next weekend might give a clearer picture of who ends up on top. I just want to hear the official news of a sequel.

Transformers "Boast-Copy"

Defamer.com had a little fun today with Paramount's "boast-copy" in Variety of Transformers first week of sales with its use of a qualifier "ALL TIME", then in smaller print "For a Non-Sequel Film." Sadly that streak is going to end as Harry Potter (good movie btw) has come out and apparently on 9,000 screens in 4,200 or so locations. Nope that is not a typo. By comparison, Transformers was out on 4,011 screens. With that kind of coverage, if they don't get a record of some sort, heads will roll.

Final Box Office Numbers for First Week

The final numbers have come in for Transformers for the weekend with a $4M bump in numbers for Sunday then estimated before, now at $22,144,125. As pointed out by a site reader, this moves some of the box office standings for Transformers up a few notches. In all time domestic grosses, its a change from 151 to 144. For all time worldwide, not its 221 rather then 232 and for 2007 Yearly Worldwide Gross its a bump to 5th from 6th. Grand total for the first week in the US: $155,405,412. Total Worldwide: $252,098,405.

US Daily Breakdown from Box Office Mojo:

07/02: $8,801,025
07/03: $27,851,016
07/04: $29,073,898
07/05: $19,177,089
07/06: $22,656,420
07/07: $25,701,839
07/08: $22,144,125
------------------
Total: $$155,405,412

Spider-Man Record Fall To Transformers

Transformers continued to own the box office Sunday raking in an estimated $19.2 million bringing its 6.5 day total to $152.5 million. As CNN noted Transformers is "the biggest first week revenues ever for a non-sequel, surpassing the $151.6 million from Spider-Man." However CNN also noted that the money difference is because of higher ticket prices, not larger crowds as Spider-Man had 26.1 million people vs Transformers 22.5 million. Thanks to that first week, its already entered as 6th place on the total sales for 2007. Currently Spider-Man 3 sits the one spot with total of $334.4M.

Transformers showing for its first weekend was $67.9 million and tops other July 4th movies including Superman Returns and War of the Worlds. The title for overall highest weekend remains with Pirates 2 for highest weekend ever with $135.6M. Transformers sits at 6th place.

In the overseas front, the movie has raked in $93.6 million in 29 overseas markets, representing a whopping 40% of the international business. This would put the worldwide first week gross of the film at $246.1 million placing it in 232nd place for all time worldwide box office grosses.

Suffice it to say Transformers has kicked some butt in the money making department making the studio decision makers very happy. Happy bean counters mean sequels with bigger budgets which means for Transformer screen time. All without many not knowing about them and not having previous sequels to help increase sales. By that I mean that part of the reason for a franchise is the first movie helps to promote the second (via DVDs, TV showings, word of mouth etc) which helps the money made from the second. This in turn means the first two helps the third...and well you get the idea. In theory, you really have to screw up a franchise for a sequel to make less money then its predecessors.

Sadly this streak of records will come to a quick end as Harry Potter 5 is sure to rule the roost when it comes out Wednesday. However, based on the overall high viewer ratings combined with it being well liked across most demographics, this movie will have legs and continue to rake in money for the rest of the summer. While it may not be official, there will be a sequel. Thanks to site readers for the various links and Chad T. for the picture.

Saturday Box Office: $25.42 Million

Fantasy Moguls is estimating that Transformers took in an additional $25.42 million in ticket sales for Saturday, bringing the total to $132.8 million for its 5.5 day take. They are also estimating that it might take in an additional $20.3 for Sunday so the week total might hit $153.1 million. If that estimate is correct "that would be the all-time 7th-best 7-day gross in modern box office history, and the best-ever for a non-sequel topping 2002’s original Spider-Man, which posted a $151.6M mark." As it stands, Transformers II is a lock, all that's left is an official announcement.
(source)

Friday's Box Office: $22.5 Million

The money keeps coming for Transformers as its made $22.5 million Friday bringing its US gross for the last 4.5 days to $107,403,000 according to Box Office Mojo. I am now thinking the movie will top out around $150 million for the first week now not including foreign grosses. Basically the first week will kind of pay for the cost of the film (not including theatres cut, marketing and so forth).

Fantasymonguls.com reports "an average of eight expert sources predicted a 3-day take of $72.26M for Transformers, but that now appears to be a bit high. My sources are pointing to a traditional weekend of $67.31M, which will put the Hasbro-inspired film at $152.21M domestic by Monday morning." (full article here). Thanks to rodsuper for the link.

Overall the movie isn't breaking the big box office records but for the first film of a franchise its more then holding its own. Like most successes, its the volume of repeat business and word of mouth that will see if this movie continues to rake in the bucks or fizzle out after three weeks.