BRUCE ALMIGHTY produces heavenly box office

Carrey's best opening ever wows Universal suits

By Patrick Sauriol     May 26, 2003

Jim Carrey and the power of the creator proved to be more mighty than Neo this past weekend at the box office. Universal's BRUCE ALMIGHTY took top spot with an estimated $86.4 million dollars worth of ticket sales over the four day weekend. It's Carrey's best opening yet, eclipsing DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS opening from three years ago.

THE MATRIX RELOADED increased its tally by an additional $45.6 M, bringing that picture's total gross to $209 M. RELOADED has now made more money than the first MATRIX (total: $171 M) but its second weekend decline of 50% is sending nervous reaction among some in Hollywood who now think the picture might not have the legs to take it to $300 M. Third place was Sony's DADDY DAY CARE with an estimated $18 M take, down just 25% from the week previous. X-MEN 2 is marching towards making $200 M, netting an additional $13 M on the weekend. Fifth spot went to THE IN-LAWS with a less-than-stellar $9.1 M.

Next weekend: FINDING NEMO, THE ITALIAN JOB and WRONG TURN open at theaters, and I'm taking the easy bet on NEMO grossing at least $70 M.


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