Initial box office reports are showing that ‘Prometheus’ is starting off strong in the US. In overnight numbers, the film grossed $3.561 million in midnight screenings at 1,368 locations. $1 million of that gross came from 294 IMAX theaters. Fox called the news “a fantastic start.”
The midnight opening of ‘Prometheus’ did notably better than previous blockbuster movies ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ and ‘Men in Black III’ which earned $1.4 million and $1.6 million respectively but far below the $18.7 million ‘The Avengers’ earned in it’s opening midnight screenings.
Although reviews of the film are mixed, box office analysts have estimated that ‘Prometheus’ can make anywhere from $35 million to $55 million (maybe more) by the time the weekend ends. Even with an ‘R’ rating (thus limiting the audience numbers), with the movie is playing in IMAX and in 3D (and ticket prices are higher in these theaters) may compensate for the more mature rating. ‘Prometheus’ has already earned $51 million internationally.
Fox and director Ridley Scott will be looking closely to the numbers as they are hoping that ‘Prometheus’ may be a film that could eventually lead to a franchise.
