Weekend Box Office: Rio Debuts With A 2011 Best Of 40 Million Dollars!

Finally, the Box Office slump of 2011 has came to halt. Thanks to Fox and there 3D animated film Rio. After securing 10.4 million on Friday, the animated film soared higher on Saturday with nearly 17.2 million. It then landed nicely today with an estimated 12.4 million. This puts it at the top of the box office and might also give Rio the best opening weekend of 2011 with around 40 million dollars.

Falling far behind in second place was Wes Craven's Scream 4 with a less than expected 19.4 million. Studio projections for the fourth installment in the stale franchise placed Scream 4 second with around 40 million. So the film has underperformed on opening weekend. But I can still see it making decent money at least.

Next weekend should be interesting as Francis Lawrence's Water For Elephants starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon debuts. The film based on the bestselling novel is only in 2,700 locations. But it has the potential to do well. With films like Thor and Fast Five heading to theatres soon. It looks like the Box Office might just stay out of this slump its been in.

Here's the estimated top ten:

1. Rio (40 Million)
2. Scream 4 (19.3 Million)
3. Hop (11.1)
4. Soul Surfer (7.4)
5. Hanna (7.3)
6. Arthur (6.9)
7. Insidious (6.8)
8. Source Code (6.3)
9. The Conspirator (3.9)
10. Your Highness (3.8)

Be sure to check in next week at Next Gen News for the Weekend Box Office.

Thanks.

Chris.