August 23, 2009–Sonys sorority comedy “The House Bunny” was No. 1 on Friday, grossing $5.9 million while Paramounts “Tropic Thunder” was second with $4.8 million.
Starring Anna Faris of “Scary Movie” fame, “House Bunny” centers on an ostracized Playboy bunny who shacks up with a waning college sorority and turns the group around. “Bunny” was written by “Legally Blonde” co-scribes Karen McCullah Lutz and Kristen Smith and similar to that comedy, caters toward a chick crowd.
Despite the dominance of “House Bunny” yesterday at 2,714 theaters, “Thunder” may wind up winning the weekend, based on its small 41% Friday-to-Friday drop at 3,352 venues and its appeal to a wider demo. In 10 days, “Thunder” has made about $54.4 million.
Universals Jason Statham actioner “Death Race” was third with $4.6 million from 2,532. Among Stathams solo headliners, “Races” opening day ranks behind his 2005 shoot em up “Transporter 2” which generated $5.6 million, but ahead of last summers “War” which posted $3.5 million on its first day. Over three days, “Transporter 2” and “War” respectively bowed to $16.5 million and $9.8 million.
Despite four wide entries, Warner’s “The Dark Knight” remained solid in the top five yesterday, with $3 million from 3,163 for fourth; a 39% decline and a boffo estimated cume of $481.9 million.
Sonys R-rated stoner comedy “Pineapple Express” was fifth with $1.7 million off 2,620, down 47% from a week ago and counting a domestic haul of $70 million.
MGMs Dimension football drama “The Longshots” ranked tenth with $1.3 million from 2,089 sites while Foxs “The Rocker,” which opened Wednesday, starring Rainn Wilson was not among the the top 10, grossing $935,000 from 2,784 and a three-day cume of $2 million.
MGMs Weinstein Co.s Woody Allen comedy “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” declined only 25% in its second Friday with $841,000 and an eight day cumulative of $6.5 million.
