Fast Five Sets New Franchise Record at US Weekend B-O

MAY 2, 2011 - Fast and Furious 5 (or Fast Five) made off with an estimated US$83.6 million at 3,644 locations in North America over the May Day weekend. The action sequel shot past Fast and Furious's US$71 million start for a new franchise high.

Fast Five more than doubled fellow Rio de Janeiro adventure, Rio (US$39.2 million), to claim the biggest opening of 2011. It was also the third highest-grossing opening weekend outside of the summer and holiday seasons, behind Alice in Wonderland (2010)'s $116.1 million and The Passion of the Christ's US$83.8 million.

Water for Elephants retreated 46 percent to an estimated US$9.1 million for a US$32.3 million sum in 10 days.

Meanwhile, Thor pulled in an estimated US$83 million from 56 foreign markets, a week before the Marvel comic book adaptation opens in North America. Top-ranked openings included Britain (US$9 million), France (US$8.1 million) and South Korea (US$5.7 million). Its foreign total stands at US$93 million after the Paramount Pictures release got an early start in Australia last weekend.

Here are the Top 5 North American B-O studio estimates for April 29 - May 1, 2011 weekend, in terms of rank, (previous week ranking), Movie name (studio), Weekend takings in USD, (Cumulative gross, USD) and week on chart, courtesy of Boxofficemojo. (US$1=RM3)

1. (N) Fast Five (Universal) $83.6 million ($83.6 million) 1

2. (1) Rio (Fox) $14.4 million ($103.6 million) 3

3. (2) Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family (LGF) $10.0 million ($41.0 million) 2

4. (3) Water for Elephants (Fox) $9,1 million ($32.6 million) 2

5. (N) Prom (BV) $5,.0 million ($5.0 million) 1