“True Grit” will top the weekend box office, according to Friday estimates.
The film, now in its third weekend of wide release, is looking to top a weak field of releases in the first weekend of the New Year; the film grosses $4.4 million Friday and looks on pace for $14 million for the weekend.
“Season of the Witch” is the weekend”s primary new entry, was heavily panned by critics (a 3% on Rotten Tomatoes) and is looking like a major dud; the $40 million film brought in under $4 million Friday for third place, and is likely to gross less than $10 million this weekend.
“True Grit’s” ascendance to the top of the box office is the latest in a growling list of accolades for the Coen brothers latest flick. A late entry to awards season chatter, the film now seems destined for Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Director, Actor, and is making a serious case for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for Hailee Steinfeld and Matt Damon. The $40 million film has already made more than $100 million at the domestic box office.
“Little Fockers” continues to hold up well, and is looking at a second place finish with around $13.5 million for the weekend. With around $120 million in domestic receipts and nearly $200 million worldwide, the film is likely to be a modest hit, but the lowest-grossing of the franchise. The previous installment grossed $280 million in America, and more than $500 million worldwide.
Weekend Projections for the Top 10
| True Grit (2010) | $14,000,000 | $109,430,022 |
| Little Fockers | $13,700,000 | $123,900,515 |
| TRON: Legacy | $10,000,000 | $148,122,418 |
| Season of the Witch | $9,800,000 | $9,800,000 |
| Black Swan | $8,000,000 | $61,105,493 |
| Country Strong | $7,900,000 | $8,037,289 |
| The Fighter | $6,800,000 | $57,644,442 |
| Yogi Bear | $6,200,000 | $74,995,521 |
| The King’s Speech | $6,000,000 | $32,482,258 |
| Tangled | $5,200,000 | $175,868,398 |