Narnia Back on Top

By JEFF WILSON
The Associated Press

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” snatched the box office crown from “King Kong” during another fierce four-day holiday battle for the top spot.

Old acquaintances met again: Less than $2 million has separated “Kong” and “Narnia” the past two weekends.

“We edged out ‘Kong.’ It’s been neck-and-neck,” Buena Vista’s Dennis Rice said Monday. “These are two great movies in the marketplace that are doing great business.”

“Narnia” took in an estimated $32.8 million during the Friday-through-Monday period, nudging Universal’s “King Kong” out of the No. 1 spot and into second with a New Year’s weekendtake of $31.6 million.

“This is a great way to start the new year. We have an up weekend _ 5 percent over the last New Year’s weekend,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. “Propelled by these two blockbusters, it’s really moving the box office.”

“King Kong” was No. 1 during the Christmas holiday with a four-day turnstile take of $33.3 million and “Narnia” was No. 2 with $31.7 million.

“Narnia” passed the benchmark $200 million North American box office tally on Friday and “King Kong” was expected to pass the $400 million worldwide mark sometime Monday.

“Fun With Dick and Jane” was in third place with $21 million, followed in fourth by “Cheaper by the Dozen 2” with $19.3 million, a 26 percent jump over the previous weekend. Jennifer Aniston’s “Rumor Has It” was fifth with $11.6 million.

“The Family Stone” was sixth with $10.2 million, “Memoirs of a Geisha” was seventh with $10 million and “The Ringer” was eighth with $8 million. Ninth place was held by “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” with $7.5 million. It has taken in $277 million in seven weeks of release.

Steven Spielberg’s “Munich” rounded out the Top 10 with $6.1 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations. Final figures will be released Tuesday.

See more Narnia box office numbers on our Box Office page.

UPDATE: According to The-Numbers.com, Narnia’s fourth weekend is the 4th highest ever. Thanks to ‘Paul’ for the link!