TMNT RULES THE BOX OFFICE FOR ITS OPENING WEEKEND

**MattBrady** · 03-26-2007, 11:18 AM

As may just become the mantra for 2007, comics ruled the box office again this weekend, thanks to the return of the heroes in a half shell. The latest film adventure of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles landed at the top of the heap for its opening weekend, bringing in a domestic box office of $25.5 million against an estimated budget of $34 million. (Click here for Newsarama's review)

According to Box Office Mojo, the film was seen on 3,700 screens over the weekend and by far, the largest demographic seeing the film was parents and kids. While the opening sounds robust, the Turtles are a well-worn film franchise at this point, and this outing, TMNT is the fourth film in the series and continues the storyline of the franchise.

As BOM and others have pointed out, while this weekend’s opening appears to be history repeating itself when compared to 1990’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film ($25.4 million), when adjusted for inflation, 1990’s opening weekend would have equaled almost $40 million in 2007 dollars.

But moving down the box office list, 300 showed true Spartan staying power, landing at #2 with $20.5 million, which brings its domestic box office to $162.4 million, and a worldwide box office of $187.6 million, against an estimated production budget of $65 million.

Both films placed well ahead of #3, Shooter, the Mark Wahlberg film version of Stephen Hunter’s Point of Impact.

Ben543250 · 03-26-2007, 11:24 AM

Go ninja, go ninja, GO!

RoiVampire · 03-26-2007, 11:32 AM

turtle power baby

Scorned1 · 03-26-2007, 11:33 AM

I saw this movie on opening day and thought it was quite good. Everything was great. The fight between Leo and Ralph was something to behold. It was the kind of stuff that puppets cannot ever do. And the soundtrack was great because they all hit their marks. There was never a dull moment.

Like Superman Returns, this movie feels like it was a continuation of the first and second live action movie. Unlike Superman Returns, TMNT did not use their ultimate nemesis aka the Shredder. But there was a nice touch on what is going to be in the sequel.

I really hope they put in a blooper reel on the dvd because there could be a few instances it could happens.

michaelman9 · 03-26-2007, 11:34 AM

a solid opening. i think that TMNT will stay pretty steady with the $ due to the sheer number of kids who will see it as well as the nostalgia for adults. I think word of mouth will help it a lot.

Aaron H · 03-26-2007, 11:36 AM

I was quite surprised by this movie -- it was much better than it really had any reason to be. Plus, the fight in the rain between Leo and Raph was one of the coolest pieces of CGI ever.

Here's hoping they deviate from the old B&W comics and stick Krang in the next one!!

caats19 · 03-26-2007, 11:40 AM

i thought it was good too. that part where mikey first puts on the turtle helmet make me laugh pretty good

cookiejar · 03-26-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron H

Here's hoping they deviate from the old B&W comics and stick Krang in the next one!!

Actually that would make me NOT want to see the movie... I am quite a lot more fond of the B&W comics than that cartoon sugar-coated crap... where they fight with sausage links and ridiculous things.

Who knows...maybe I have to have kids to want that stuff.

DaVeO · 03-26-2007, 12:12 PM

No, Krang. Bad Krang. 80's cartoon was bleh. Yes, I am one of those B&W fans. So sue me.

Spaz_Monkey · 03-26-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Ice

Ninja, Ninja, RAP! Ninja, Ninja, RAP!
GO GO GO
Go Ninja, Go Ninja, GO; Go Ninja, Go ninja, GO!
Go Ninja, Go Ninja. GO; Go Ninja, Go ninja, GO!
GO GO GO GO

I didn't see the movie over the weekend. Was there any reference at all to Vanilla Ice's song? I was REALLY hoping it would be on somebody's radio, or something.

GOSD · 03-26-2007, 12:37 PM

A good, solid and entertaining film for all ages.

Speedball93 · 03-26-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron H

I was quite surprised by this movie -- it was much better than it really had any reason to be. Plus, the fight in the rain between Leo and Raph was one of the coolest pieces of CGI ever.

Here's hoping they deviate from the old B&W comics and stick Krang in the next one!!

The detail to this scene was incredible! This was an excellent movie to get the franchise rolling again. The ending was a perfect set up to bring back one of their most classic villains and I can't wait to here the announcement for the sequel.

MadBandit · 03-26-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaz_Monkey

I didn't see the movie over the weekend. Was there any reference at all to Vanilla Ice's song? I was REALLY hoping it would be on somebody's radio, or something.

Nope. Thank God. I was suprisingly entertained by the film. It was like a PG-rated version of Frank Miller's Sin City, especially Raph as the Nightwatcher. A CGI-version of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns doesn't seem so crazy.

JeffTheBeefy · 03-26-2007, 12:55 PM

Did anyone but me catch the Highlander ref with the fight in the rain?

vanillacyke · 03-26-2007, 01:18 PM

Now this is TURTLE POWER! Ain't gonna stop them now.

grphxkindaguy · 03-26-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOSD

A good, solid and entertaining film for all ages.

from the good word of mouth here on the 'Rama, I'm tempted to go see 300 first then sneak in and see TMNT afterwards this week, one day after work!

Black Beetle · 03-26-2007, 02:01 PM

I can't believe you nuts who said it would make 20-40 million overall.

MadBandit · 03-26-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffTheBeefy

Did anyone but me catch the Highlander ref with the fight in the rain?

A bit, but I thought it was more Sin City with the rain.

MadBandit · 03-26-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Beetle

I can't believe you nuts who said it would make 20-40 million overall.

With its' budget being around $30-40 million, it'll probably do twice the amount and more overseas.

MrNEWZ · 03-26-2007, 02:29 PM

Haven't seen the film yet, but it looks like fun. I hope to see it soon, otherwise on DVD.

Good to see it did well the first week out, however.

i_use_tp · 03-26-2007, 03:37 PM

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PUT KRANG IN THE FLICK! The tech-no-drome CGI style! Let's not forget Rocksteady and Be-pop. An army of Android Foot Soliders! (That way Leo and Ralph can actually use their kanta's and sai's!) I know they're a lot of fans of the B & W. (Me being one of them.) Let's not forget it was the cartoon series that brought the Movie franchise to life!

Was that Enimem doing the Shell Shock Rap at the credits? If it was it would seem since Vanilla Ice was the last rapper having Enimem would bring it to a full circle.

JLAJRC · 03-26-2007, 07:32 PM

I had a good movie weekend, first with TMNT, then with the Japanese creature flick "The Host." Both were pretty good.

TeenTitansGo · 03-26-2007, 07:57 PM

Turtles fight with honor!!!!

What a great movie can't wait for the DVD.

JakeBlack · 03-26-2007, 09:19 PM

I included a Vanilla Ice reference in to the Prequel Comic centered on Michelangelo...

GohanWinner · 03-26-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_use_tp

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PUT KRANG IN THE FLICK! The tech-no-drome CGI style! Let's not forget Rocksteady and Be-pop. An army of Android Foot Soliders! (That way Leo and Ralph can actually use their kanta's and sai's!) I know they're a lot of fans of the B & W. (Me being one of them.) Let's not forget it was the cartoon series that brought the Movie franchise to life!

Was that Enimem doing the Shell Shock Rap at the credits? If it was it would seem since Vanilla Ice was the last rapper having Enimem would bring it to a full circle.

Gym Class Heroes.

And Krang was the single worst part about the 80s cartoon (which in itself was a parody of the turtles). Nostalgics, ick. I defy you to watch the newly released DVDs and like it anywhere near as much as you seem to hold it in esteem.

And...Leo and Raph do use their weapons in this one so nya!