Bluebomb

Weekend Estimates July 4 Rank Movie TW % chg Total 1 Despicable Me 2 $1,090,000 +259.7% $1,393,000 2 Man of Steel $725,000 -64.8% $3,705,000 3 Blind Detective $630,000 +325.7% $778,000 4 World War Z $455,000 -49.4% $4,918,000 5 Midsummer Formula $164,000 -12.5% $530,000 July 4 Weekend Estimates

Sunday adm. (so far) July 7 Rank Movie LW TW WKD % chg QD % chg 1 Despicable Me 2 5,919 18,446 +211.6% +32.9% 2 Blind Detective 2,509 12,797 +410.0% +15.2% 3 Man of Steel 27,264 10,816 -60.3% +5.0% 4 World War Z 11,747 6,054 -48.5% +13.0% 5 Epic 7,547 4,048 -46.4% +49.0% 6 Midsummer Formula 6,647 3,638 -45.3% +7.7% 7 Now You See Me 5,284 3,145 -40.5% +7.2% 8 A Story of Yonosuke -- 190 -- -8.7% 9 Searching for Sugar Man -- 143 -- -- 10 Miracle in Cell No. 7 484 143 -70.5% -- Very strong increase for Despicable Me 2. Weekend estimates to come soon.

I did! I hate horror movies so me enjoying it was a surprise. Yes, that damn Chanel commercial!!!

Saturday July 6 Rank Movie LW TW WKD % chg QD % chg 1 Despicable Me 2 7,448 33,588 +351.0% +96.5% 2 Blind Detective 4,546 25,286 +456.2% +58.4% 3 Man of Steel 48,774 22,716 -53.4% +44.4% 4 World War Z 23,108 14,281 -38.2% +51.2% 5 Midsummer Formula 12,782 7,091 -44.5% +25.4% 6 Epic 10,625 6,116 -42.4% +91.2% 7 Now You See Me 8,318 5,917 -28.9% +15.9% 8 Tales from the Dark Pt. 1 -- 1,374 -- +81.5% 9 A Story of Yonosuke -- 560 -- +86.0% 10 Miracle in Cell No. 7 568 384 -32.4% +90.1% Great increase for Despicable Me 2. It looks like it can get to 1m OW. Good for Blind Detective. Clearly, Switch doing awful had little effect on this film. The chemistry and starpower of Andy and Sammi brought in a lot of people. Man of Steel's fading quickly. World War Z, Midsummer Formula and Epic had decent-good holds. Now You See Me is the standout once again. Fantastic hold even though it had the lowest increase of the top 10. Tales from the Dark had a pretty good Saturday. OK for A Story of Yonosuke. Good for Miracle in Cell No. 7.

I took the plunge and watched World War Z, Leyla. It's better than Man of Steel...and I hate zombie horror movies!

Oh, I thought he was referring to the poll. Uhm, about $950,000.

DM2 opened after June 30. The poll is only reviewing films that opened Jan. 1 through Jun. 30. It must be due to summer holidays. Some schools aren't off as far as I know but exams are finished. Friday July 5 Rank Movie LW TW WKD % chg QD % chg 1 Despicable Me 2 -- 17,096 -- +0.7% 2 Blind Detective -- 15,965 -- +18.8% 3 Man of Steel 34,945 15,733 -55.0% +27.1% 4 World War Z 19,639 9,446 -51.9% +11.4% 5 Midsummer Formula -- 5,654 -- +41.8% 6 Now You See Me 8,930 5,105 -42.8% +14.8% 7 Epic 6,706 3,199 -52.3% +8.0% 8 Tales from the Dark Pt. 1 -- 757 -- -- 9 A Story of Yonosuke -- 301 -- +13.6% 10 Miracle in Cell No. 7 509 202 -60.3% -22.9% Not bad for Despicable Me 2. Pretty good for Blind Detective. Good increase for Man of Steel but bad hold from last week. Not great for World War Z. Midsummer Formula did OK. Now You See Me did well. Ouch for Epic. Tales from the Dark Pt. 1 had strong sneaks. A Story of Yonosuke didn't do well. Miracle in Cell No. 7 got roughed up today. Huge decrease from yesterday. Saturday adm. (so far) July 6 Rank Movie LW TW WKD % chg QD % chg 1 Despicable Me 2 3,992 13,875 +247.6% +105.7% 2 Blind Detective 1,995 11,110 +456.9% +70.6% 3 Man of Steel 24,395 10,297 -57.8% +49.1% 4 World War Z 10,012 5,358 -46.5% +65.0% 5 Midsummer Formula 6,147 3,379 -45.0% +45.8% 6 Now You See Me 4,165 2,935 -29.5% +52.5% 7 Epic 4,931 2,716 -44.9% +78.0% 8 Tales from the Dark Pt. 1 -- 823 -- +36.0% 9 A Story of Yonosuke -- 208 -- -- 10 HK: Forbidden Super Hero -- 162 -- -- Huge jumps for Despicable Me 2 and Blind Detective. Man of Steel is lagging behind with the 2nd worst increase of the top 5. Better for World War Z and Midsummer Formula. Very strong for Now You See Me. Epic is being largely ignored despite the positive reviews.

Spoilers...

It's OK but I think it's one of the weakest superhero offerings of the past few years. I only gave it a C+. 5m should happen by next week.

Thursday Actuals July 4 LW TW Movie Last Thu. (USD) Thursday (USD) % chg Screens Days Total -- 1 Despicable Me 2 -- $177,978 -- 58 1 $481,056 1 2 Man of Steel $381,600 $125,100 -67.2% 68 8 $3,104,298 -- 3 Blind Detective -- $105,755 -- 38 1 $254,070 2 4 World War Z $159,859 $83,830 -47.6% 52 15 $4,547,467 4 5 Now You See Me $51,567 $32,242 -37.5% 28 22 $3,176,521 -- 6 Midsummer Formula -- $28,373 -- 27 6 $394,646 3 7 Epic $55,435 $24,504 -55.8% 49 8 $638,399 Others: Badges of Fury - $2,837/$107,044 A Story of Yonosuke - $1,418/$2,837 (opening day actual) American Dreams in China - $621,633 Miracle in Cell No. 7 - $168,950 July 4 Thursday actuals

The only animated film I'll be giving my money to this summer is Monsters University. It'll be very hard to do with the lower ticket prices. I don't think Monsters U can do it. But the market is very good. Man of Steel performed below expectations and Despicable Me 2 isn't lighting the theaters on fire so if any film has any chance this summer, it's Monsters University. Thursday July 4 Rank Movie LW TW % chg 1 Despicable Me 2 -- 16,978 -- 2 Blind Detective -- 13,441 -- 3 Man of Steel 30,254 12,374 -59.1% 4 World War Z 14,326 8,480 -40.8% 5 Now You See Me 6,457 4,447 -31.1% 6 Midsummer Formula -- 3,986 -- 7 Epic 5,115 2,962 -42.1% 8 American Dreams in China 342 296 -13.5% 9 A Story of Yonosuke -- 265 -- 10 Miracle in Cell No. 7 354 262 -26.0% Good for Despicable Me 2 and Blind Detective. Bad for Man of Steel. 4m is looking shaky. World War Z and Now You See Me were solid. Friday adm. (so far) July 5 Rank Movie LW TW WKD % chg QD % chg 1 Man of Steel 16,825 6,906 -59.0% +35.3% 2 Despicable Me 2 -- 6,746 -- +7.2% 3 Blind Detective -- 6,513 -- +47.9% 4 World War Z 6,651 3,247 -51.2% +49.3% 5 Midsummer Formula -- 2,317 -- +63.1% 6 Now You See Me 3,015 1,924 -36.2% +66.6% 7 Epic 2,615 1,526 -41.6% -11.7% 8 Tales from the Dark Pt. 1 -- 605 -- -- 9 The Way We Dance -- 186 -- -- 10 Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge -- 151 -- +14.4% Blind Detective might actually beat Man of Steel this weekend. Weak increases for the animated films.

Nope. Epic is doing much better with word of mouth than Despicable Me 2. Actually in the past few years, Despicable Me 2 is one of the worst rated animated films. Most get an 80% rating. It could even get 90k if it has really strong walk-ins.

NW: Monsters University is currently tracking in the 80,000 admissions range on opening day.

Pacific Rim update: 2 MCL theaters have taken away its pre-selling. Tucking the pre-sales away looks really bad. Even if they don't mess around with the times or screens (putting it in a smaller house), it still looks bad to have a couple extra days less of pre-selling. It seems to me like the theaters want to wait a bit more to see how Monsters University is doing before giving away the bigger screen to a smaller film.

Thursday adm. (so far) July 4 Rank Movie LW TW % chg 1 Despicable Me 2 -- 6,290 -- 2 Man of Steel 12,350 5,106 -58.7% 3 Blind Detective -- 4,403 -- 4 World War Z 3,876 2,175 -43.9% 5 Epic 2,256 1,728 -23.4% 6 Midsummer Formula -- 1,421 -- 7 Now You See Me 1,624 1,155 -28.9% 8 American Dreams in China 89 208 +133.7% 9 Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge -- 132 -- 10 Liv & Ingmar -- 116 -- Good for Despicable Me 2. It is aiming for $800,000 this weekend and 1.1m including previews. It will need to make all it can because the big one is coming next week. Weak hold for Man of Steel. Word of mouth is not good enough. It's barely in the decent range. Decent for Blind Detective. Good hold for World War Z. Excellent hold for Epic. Alright for Midsummer Formula. Very good for Now You See Me. American Dreams in China shot up today due to a heavily booked showtime at Tsuen Wan. It will come crashing down on Friday. Not good for Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge. Great for Liv & Ingmar.

Man of Steel and Despicable Me 2 aren't having good word of mouth. Man of Steel currently sits at 60% approval and 3.7/5 rating. Despicable Me 2 is rated slightly higher with 70% liking it & a score of 3.7/5 but for an animated release, it's not good.

It'll at least break 1 record...Biggest animated OW.

Pacific Rim has started pre-selling. Business is very slow so far but it has only had 1 day of pre-selling. Part 2 of Monsters University pre-sales Let's check out more Monsters University pre-sales. iSquare Monsters University (3D Can.) Day Time Seats sold Seats available % filled Jul. 11 7:50 PM 149 192 77.60% Total 149 192 77.60% Jul. 12 5:40 PM 71 192 36.98% Total 71 192 36.98% Jul. 13 9:00 AM 102 192 53.13% Total 102 192 53.13% 3-day total 322 576 55.90% UA iSQUARE is a high traffic area. They have high pre-sales and lower walk-ins. Showings are very hard to fill here. Very strong for the 3 showtimes. Wow, that 9 AM Saturday morning is fantastic. Over 50% full. tmtplaza Monsters University (3D Can.) Day Time Seats sold Seats available % filled Jul. 11 9:00 AM 49 184 26.63% 11:10 AM 25 184 13.59% 1:20 PM 65 184 35.33% 3:30 PM 76 184 41.30% 5:40 PM 94 184 51.09% Total 309 920 33.59% Jul. 12 9:00 AM 17 184 9.24% 11:10 AM 3 184 1.63% 1:20 PM 26 184 14.13% 3:30 PM 61 184 33.15% 5:40 PM 48 184 26.09% Total 155 920 16.85% Jul. 13 9:00 AM 108 184 58.70% 11:10 AM 88 184 47.83% 1:20 PM 91 184 49.46% 3:30 PM 115 184 62.50% 5:40 PM 116 184 63.04% Total 518 920 56.30% Jul. 14 9:00 AM 109 184 59.24% 11:10 AM 101 184 54.89% 1:20 PM 117 184 63.59% 3:30 PM 124 184 67.39% 5:40 PM 114 184 61.96% Total 565 920 61.41% 4-day total 1547 3680 42.04% Over at tmtplaza, this is one of the easier theaters to fill and Monsters University is showing powerful pre-sales here. On Sunday, every showtime is more than 50% full and is 60% filled for the whole day. Incredible. Megabox Monsters University (3D Can.) Day Time Seats sold Seats available % filled Jul. 11 9:00 AM 7 154 4.55% 11:10 AM 48 154 31.17% 1:20 PM 36 154 23.38% 3:30 PM 37 154 24.03% 5:40 PM 41 154 26.62% 7:50 PM 95 154 61.69% Total 264 924 28.57% Jul. 12 9:00 AM 11 154 7.14% 11:10 AM 14 154 9.09% 1:20 PM 12 154 7.79% 3:30 PM 11 154 7.14% 5:40 PM 31 154 20.13% 7:50 PM 83 154 53.90% Total 162 924 17.53% Jul. 13 9:00 AM 51 154 33.12% 11:10 AM 77 154 50.00% 1:20 PM 58 154 37.66% 3:30 PM 81 154 52.60% 5:40 PM 74 154 48.05% 7:50 PM 76 154 49.35% Total 417 924 45.13% Jul. 14 9:00 AM 73 154 47.40% 11:10 AM 106 154 68.83% 1:20 PM 66 154 42.86% 3:30 PM 81 154 52.60% 5:40 PM 84 154 54.55% 7:50 PM 54 154 35.06% Total 464 924 50.22% 4-day total 1307 3696 35.36% Megabox has very low pre-sales but high walk-ins so to see Monsters University's Sunday already 50% full here is amazing news. This is huge.

It is OK. Ice Age 4 had much stronger sneaks last year. But DM only made slightly more than $400k in 2010 so DM2 will at least double DM's OW. Unfortunately, it won't have time to develop any legs with Monsters University out next weekend.

Part 1 of Monsters University pre-sales Here's a snapshot at how Monsters University is doing at UA locations. Cityplaza Monsters University 3D Can. Day Time Seats sold Seats available % filled Jul. 11 9:00 AM 70 277 25.27% 11:10 AM 41 277 14.80% 1:20 PM 41 277 14.80% 3:30 PM 100 277 36.10% 5:40 PM 67 277 24.19% Total 319 1385 23.03% Jul. 12 9:00 AM 30 277 10.83% 11:10 AM 22 277 7.94% 1:20 PM 17 277 6.14% 3:30 PM 24 277 8.66% 5:40 PM 49 277 17.69% Total 142 1385 10.25% Jul. 13 9:00 AM 133 277 48.01% 11:10 AM 83 277 29.96% 1:20 PM 85 277 30.69% 3:30 PM 172 277 62.09% 5:40 PM 155 277 55.96% Total 628 1385 45.34% Jul. 14 9:00 AM 157 277 56.68% 11:10 AM 109 277 39.35% 1:20 PM 117 277 42.24% Total 383 831 46.09% 4-day total 1472 4986 29.52% Opening day seems very strong while Friday is a bit slower. Saturday and Sunday are looking out of this world with more than 45% filled on both days. Cityplaza is semi-hard to fill entirely. Windsor Cinema Monsters University 3D Can. Day Time Seats sold Seats available % filled Jul. 11 5:40 PM 36 78 46.15% Total 36 78 46.15% Jul. 12 7:50 PM 72 78 92.31% Total 72 78 92.31% Jul. 13 5:40 PM 66 78 84.62% Total 66 78 84.62% 3-day total 174 234 74.36% Windsor Cinema is one of the easiest places to sell out. The Friday night session hasn't moved at all since that morning it came out. Clearly, people are waiting for more showtimes. The 5:40 PM showtime is telling. It's already more than 45% full on a weekday and it is not an evening showtime. This is how The Dark Knight Rises was doing 1 week before release at Langham Place. Now, let's see Monsters University 8 days before release at Langham Place. Langham Place Monsters University 3D Can. Day Time Seats sold Seats available % filled Jul. 11 9:00 AM 76 202 37.62% 11:10 AM 65 202 32.18% 1:20 PM 36 202 17.82% 3:30 PM 86 202 42.57% 5:40 PM 86 202 42.57% 7:50 PM 143 202 70.79% Total 492 1212 40.59% Jul. 12 9:00 AM 43 202 21.29% 11:10 AM 34 202 16.83% 1:20 PM 8 202 3.96% 3:30 PM 24 202 11.88% 5:40 PM 39 202 19.31% 7:50 PM 149 202 73.76% Total 297 1212 24.50% Jul. 13 9:00 AM 105 202 51.98% 11:10 AM 102 202 50.50% 1:20 PM 92 202 45.54% 3:30 PM 120 202 59.41% 5:40 PM 125 202 61.88% 7:50 PM 124 202 61.39% Total 668 1212 55.12% Jul. 14 9:00 AM 110 202 54.46% 11:10 AM 138 202 68.32% 1:20 PM 91 202 45.05% 3:30 PM 110 202 54.46% 5:40 PM 114 202 56.44% 7:50 PM 109 202 53.96% Total 672 1212 55.45% 4-day total 2129 4848 43.92% Phenomenal for Monsters University. Besides the 1:20 PM showtime, other times look extremely good. Saturday and Sunday are looking insane. It's already more than 55% full with those showtimes. These pre-sales are definitely rivaling Harry Potter 7-2. Where Monsters University has the edge over Harry Potter are the amazing pre-sales for Saturday/Sunday. Harry Potter 7-2's magnificent pre-sales came for opening day but Monsters University are spread out with Friday being the weak link. Monsters University's current pre-sales are outpacing The Avengers, Iron Man 3 and The Dark Knight Rises.

It will happen. Monsters University will be World War Z's savior.

Poll results 1. Will Monsters University gross more than Toy Story 3 ($11.5m)? Yes on OW and total (3 votes [30.00%]) Yes on OW; no on total (1 votes [10.00%]) No on OW and total (6 votes [60.00%]) 2. Who will be #1 on July 18? Monsters University (8 votes [80.00%]) Pacific Rim (2 votes [20.00%]) 3. #1 movie on July 25 will be... The Wolverine (5 votes [50.00%]) Monsters University (3 votes [30.00%]) Pacific Rim (2 votes [20.00%]) New poll added. Please select the film you think had the most surprising HK box office performance in the first half of 2013. Thursday schedules Palace IFC New Holdovers Leaving Despicable Me 2 (3D Eng.) - 5 showings Midsummer Formula - 3 showings (=) The Great Gatsby 3D (Tue.) Blind Detective - 5 showings Man of Steel 3D - 8 showings (▼ 13) Epic (3D Eng.) - 3 showings (▼ 5) Now You See Me - 4 showings (▼ 5) American Dreams in China - 1 showing (=) Searching for Sugar Man - 2 showings (=) The ONE New Holdovers Leaving Despicable Me 2 (3D Can.) - 1 showing Midsummer Formula - 6 showings (▼ 7) Epic (3D Can.) Despicable Me 2 (Can.) - 1 showing Epic (Can.) - 1 showing (=) American Dreams in China Despicable Me 2 (3D Eng.) - 3 showings Epic (3D Eng.) - 3 showings (▲ 2) Blind Detective - 8 showings Epic (Eng.) - 1 showing (=) Man of Steel 3D - 7 showings (▼ 8) Man of Steel - 4 showings (▼ 6) World War Z 3D - 1 showing (▼ 2) World War Z - 3 showings (▼ 6) Now You See Me - 3 showings (▼ 5) Windsor Cinema New Holdovers Leaving Despicable Me 2 (3D Can.) - 3 showings Midsummer Formula - 2 showings (▼ 3) Epic (Can.) Despicable Me 2 (Can.) - 1 showing Man of Steel 3D - 5 showings (▼ 8) Blind Detective - 3 showings Man of Steel - 1 showing (=) World War Z 3D - 1 showing (▼ 3) Now You See Me - 3 showings (=) Despicable Me 2 is getting 1 screen at most places. A couple of theaters have given it 2 screens including at The GRAND but Man of Steel remains the popular choice for theaters. A number of them have put Despicable Me 2 on the 2nd biggest screen or have it sharing the biggest screen with Man of Steel. Blind Detective is being put on 1 screen. Man of Steel remains on top with the most showings, securing 2 screens at the majority of locations. Midsummer Formula is doing okay as well with most of its showings retained from last weekend. Epic did ok and still has most of its showtimes. Its screen has gotten smaller though. World War Z and Now You See Me have done OK. World War Z will lose more showtimes and screens than Now You See Me to make room for the new openers. Thursday schedules

MOS 5-day is bigger than WWZ's 5-day but WWZ had Wednesday night previews which can be counted as a day or not. Yes. Pre-sales are the strongest I've ever seen. This will take time. I checked it out a couple of days ago. SO many people...

June 27 5-day Weekend Actuals1. Man of Steel - $2,561,942 (opening weekend actual)2. World War Z - $4,191,6833. Epic - $513,162 (opening weekend actual)4. Now You See Me - $3,008,0585. Despicable Me 2 - $300,419 (sneak previews actual)6. Midsummer Formula - $273,342 (opening weekend actual)Badges of Fury - $87,675 (opening weekend actual)Miracle in Cell No. 7 - $162,458Monsters University article updatedI'll have a larger Monsters University update later.

HKSAR Day admissions Monday adm. July 1 Rank Title LW TW WKD % chg QD % chg 1 Man of Steel -- 45,814 -- -10.4% 2 World War Z 27,343 24,358 -10.9% +1.9% 3 Epic -- 17,493 -- +19.4% 4 Despicable Me 2 -- 12,957 -- +33.9% 5 Midsummer Formula -- 11,835 -- -9.2% 6 Now You See Me 12,737 9,298 -27.0% +4.1% 7 Blind Detective -- 5,693 -- +3.5% 8 Badges of Fury 818 821 +0.4% -11.7% 9 Miracle in Cell No. 7 732 702 -4.1% +18.2% 10 So Young 568 400 -29.6% +18.3% Terrible decrease for Man of Steel. Part of the drop is due to average WOM and the other is due to the long runtime. World War Z had a strong hold. Very good for Epic. Good for Despicable Me 2. Midsummer Formula's downward spiral keeps on going. OK hold for Now You See Me. Blind Detective is not doing very well. Strange for Badges of Fury. It had the worst increase of the top 10 but it was the only film of the top 10 to increase week-week. Great hold for Miracle in Cell No. 7. Not bad for So Young. 5-day admissions Jun 27-Jul 1 Rank Title 5-day adm 1 Man of Steel 210,905 2 World War Z 105,339 3 Epic 56,751 4 Now You See Me 41,933 5 Midsummer Formula 37,653 6 Despicable Me 2 30,085 7 Blind Detective 15,741 8 Badges of Fury 3,711 9 Miracle in Cell No. 7 2,727 10 So Young 1,415