Movie News

Night at the Museum Takes Box Office Crown

By Casey LaMarca

Ben Stiller's "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" exceeded studio expectations by beating "Terminator Salvation" at the box office this holiday weekend, with an estimated four-day gross of $70 million. "Salvation" clocked in with a second place finish for a four day total of $53.8 million. It's FIVE day total (includes its opening day on Thursday) now stands at $67 million.

The newest chapter in the Terminator franchise, starring Christian Bale in the lead role as John Connor, is certainly not a bomb by any means, but statistics indicate that it will have a hard time catching its top predecessors. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" made $204 domestically in 1991, while "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" pulled in $150 million in 2003.

I think most people felt Terminator was going to win the weekend," stated Chris Aronson, an exec for Smithsonian's Fox."I think it's a testament to comedy is king."

Overall, business was slightly above last year's Memorial Day Weekend, when "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" was released. "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" and "Terminator Salvation" will do battle once again next week, with more competition from Disney Pixar's "Up!" and Sam Raimi's return to horror "Drag Me to Hell."

Source: E! Online