May 25, 2008–Spielberg's “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” will become the second-best Memorial Day opener ever, with an estimated four-day gross of $126 million from 4,260 runs.
Including Thursday's shows, “Indy 4” five-day opening gross lmay gross about $150 million, according to Paramount, which is distributing the film for George Lucas' LucasFilms.
“Indy 4” strong box office debut marks a triumphant return for the action-adventure franchise. The event movie stars Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf, Karen Allen and Ray Winstone.
Disney's “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End” opened last year at the same time and continues to hold the record for best Memorial Day opener, grossing $139.8 million for the 4-day holiday.
“Indy 4” edged out Fox's “X Men: The Last Stand,” which posted a four-day Memorial Day gross of $122.8 million in 2006.
Disney's “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” placed No. 2, declining an estimated 58% in its second frame for a Friday-to-Sunday cume of $23 million from 3,929 runs for a cume of $91 million in the sequel's first 10 days.
Paramount's “Iron Man' continued to impress in its fourth frame, declining just 37% for a Friday-to-Sunday total of $20.1 million for a new cume of $257.8 million.
Fox's “What Happens in Vegas” came in No. 4 at the Memorial Day box office, declining only 35% in its third frame to an estimated $9 million from 3,1888 runs for a cume of $54.2 million.
Warner's “Speed Racer” placed No. 5 for the weekend, declining an estimated 51% in its third frame to $4 million for a new cume of $36.2 million through Sunday.