Opening day: 'Christmas Carol' debut not looking too jolly

Walt Disney Studios' big-budget holiday bet "A Christmas Carol" got off to a soft start Friday, selling a studio-estimated $9 million in the U.S. and Canada.

Based on the performance of similar films, that means the motion-capture-animated tale starring Jim Carrey should gross $30 million to $35 million through Sunday, a relatively weak debut given its production budget of nearly $200 million and Disney's substantial investment in marketing.

Pre-release surveys had indicated the movie would open to at least $40 million domestically over its first three days.

A soft launch at home won't necessarily be a lump of coal in Disney's stocking, however. Several other family movies have done huge business overseas this year, and the studio is surely hoping "A Christmas Carol" will do the same. In addition, family movies often play for a long time in theaters. Director Robert Zemeckis' previous motion-capture holiday tale, "The Polar Express," grossed $30.6 million in its first five days after debuting on a Wednesday and went on to collect a healthy $162.8 million.

"This Is It" had a strong hold for a concert movie. Sony's Michael Jackson film saw ticket sales drop 47% on Friday from a week earlier, putting it on track for a full weekend decline of closer to 40% and a three-day gross of about $14 million. Most concert movies decline more than 50% on their second weekends.

Overture's "The Men Who Stare at Goats" and Universal's release of Gold Circle's "The Fourth Kind" appear headed toward openings in the low- to mid-teens, while "The Box" from Warner Bros is on track to gross about $8 million by Sunday.

-- Ben Fritz

Photo: A scene from "A Christmas Carol." Credit: ImageMovers Digital

Comments

[Sally]

Why was it released now? Who is going to get excited--really excited--about Christmas until Thanksgiving, no matter what holiday shopping is being promoted in the stores? We need breathers--especially in this economy.

[Quatermass]

WHO on earth want to see YET ANOTHER "Christmas Carol", especially one that looks more like an amusement park ride than a meditation on the meaning of Christmas, stars the guy who screwed up the Grinch so royally, and cost $15 to get in? Bah, humbug!!!

[zoe g]

Maybe because....... it isn't even Thanksgiving yet?

[Will]

It's kind of funny. I have been thinking a great deal about this story lately (A Christmas Carol, not the movie). Mostly in regards to our current financial crisis and the debate over health care reform. The original novella was written in 1843 and it appears mankind has learned nothing since that time.

The rich are richer then ever, and chances are pretty good that the Cratchet's financial problems were exacerbated by Tiny Tim's illness.

Sorry for the depressing post. Seems like nothing ever changes.

[Rand Alexander]

Good. $200 million dollars for this seems to be a total waste. I'm glad for those who had the steady work, but what a lame waste. Why not make a real live version? This mo-cap crap is creepy and lame. Slave to tech is how I'd describe Bob Z. I dare you, I double dare you to make a real LIVE action picture on a TENTH of that budget. There's the dare: $20 million (that's low budget?) and work with live people that aren't plugged into mo-cap.

Direct that Bob.

[Doni]

Well, I for one don't have any desire to see a Christmas movie in early November anyway. Maybe they should have just waited until, say, mid-December, to release it.

[jean higgins]

Good Grief, why on earth would it do well?? What a STUPID time to release this movie!!!!?@!?!

[John]

Of course... Sudios keep putting in 'stale' actors who have been playing is stupid and unentertaining movies for the last few decades.

Hey you... Studio Executives, try getting an actor who doesn't equate funny with 'Dumb & Dumber' or 'Beavis & Butthead'.

[Mimi]

Can't wait to see this movie but it's too early - which may be the reason for the soft sales. You can count us in for thos $12-$15 IMAX tickets but it needs to be DECEMBER! Don't worry, it will be fine.

[Bruce]

The graphics for this film were outstanding. Music great. Would I see it again? NO!!!!!! Will our family buy it when it is on DVD? NO!!!!!!!. This is a very dark and scary film and would scare the daylights out of little children. The money could have been well spent on a film that is bright and cheerful-not the dark and drab. My advice is to get you eyes on a copy of the Muppet's Christmas Story. It's cheerful and colorful. This is a disappointing film for a Disney film. Save your money. If you really want to see it, wait for it to show up in the local RedBox. You've only wasted a buck.

[Lisa]

I have to agree with the other comments, as it is the first thought that came to my own mind: Who wants to see a Christmas movie at the start of November? It's much much too soon. It's bad enough that we were seeing Christmas decorations for sale in the stores side-by-side with Halloween items (talk about a weird juxtaposition). There needs to be space between the holidays!

[Jim Carrey]

If people would just stop getting those dangerous vaccines and start going to my movie! By Xenu. this must happen!

[Marzipan]

The only good family film out right now is "Astro Boy", and it's tragic the way it's being ignored at the box office. It's everything "Christmas Carol" is not - beautifully made, with appealing characters and a heartfelt storyline. Its political "message" is regrettable, but that doesn't detract from its overall charm. Summit is to blame for the film's troubles, because of lousy timing of its release and a limp marketing campaign. Anyway, my kids want to see "Astro" again this weekend, and I'm happy to oblige. I can wait until "DISNEY'S Christmas Carol" comes out on DVD.

[aubietiger]

Great movie. Best Christmas Carol yet - and not just because of 3D effects. But it started out soft because its NOT YET the holidays! They opened it too early for a bazillion at the box office.

[Blue Desert]

This movie should never have been re-made....especially with all the CG effects. Lets just stick with the original.
Who ever decided to release it in EARLY November made a big mistake. Shoulda been released in December.Not smart.
I also think Jim Carrey's 15 minutes was up about 5 years ago. Most folks I know find him to be extremely annoying.
It would cost a family of 4 about $60 bucks to see this (that includes refreshments).I can pay my water and gas bill for the month with that much money. I WILL pay money to see Avatar,Precious, 2012, and It's Complicated....in a theater. But wouldn't even rent this on dvd.

[ceallaig]

It's much too early for a holiday movie for me, as much as I love the story (I actually own 5 different versions on DVD, including the one with the Muppets), and frankly it looks just a little too ... odd for me. And this is from someone who LOVED Polar Express. The story needs reinterating in this day and age, but this wasn't the way to do it.

And note to Rand Alexander -- Zemeckis HAS made a number of films that didn't rely on mo-cap. Remember little things like Back to the Future? Cast Away? Forrest Gump? He paid his dues, and he wants to branch out. But I agree that it could be time to go back to his roots, so to speak.

[Against Hypocrisy]

Also, that stupid billboard they got that has Scrooge flying on, what the hell is it, a cannon? Sure doesn't help the marketing any. Where in the original story was he doing that?

[John]

Maybe it's doing bad because -- visually it looks horrible!!
I wouldn't take my kids to it because during the trailer on Ponyo they (and nearly every other kid under 10) screamed and wanted to leave.

It's hard to believe this lifeless motion capture evens gets green-lit in the first place when it's obvious people HATE it.
For Petes sake, make a real 3d animated film (ala, pixar) or make a REAL live action with some good effects.

[INOSH]

Mo-cap is good for a fight scene or a dance sequence, but even then it needs to be tweaked by a REAL animator. It should never be used to animate a whole movie!

There's not enough squash and stretch, there's not enough anticipation, there is not enough exaggeration; particularly with the slow in/slow out. It looks strange and flat to the human eye... And what's up with releasing a Christmas movie so close to Halloween?

[Jennifer Paradis]

I personally think they released it way too early.

[Dr. L]

Disney greed knows no bounds. My children and I looked at the ticket prices and chose a different film. We'll watch "Mickey's Christmas Carol" this season and watch the new version on DVD next year.

[nick]

Maybe they shouldn't be putting out a Christmas film a week after Halloween!! Geez!!!

[Dave]

We don't listen to Christmas music or get out decorations until after Thanksgiving. Part of what makes Christmas time special is that it's Christmas time. Our family has been looking forward to seeing the movie, but not until Thanksgiving break. This was released too early. My guess is that decision was made by management looking at survey data and looking to maximize profits.

[Pamela]

There are two excellent versions already available. The 1938 version with Reginald Owen and 1984 with George C Scott. I'd rather watch those again than see a Hollywood CGI version any day.

[Al in SoCal]

A Christmas Carol is a really a treat for all your friends in the GOP as really it's meant to show the conversion from conservative to liberal - and if you don't think so then you haven't read Dickens.

From the other comments I couldn't agree more -they release it during Thanksgiving and it's really just a Jim Carey vehicle - too bad. Instead of watching this movie rent the following GREAT renditions:

1. A Christmas Carol w/ George C. Scott - the best and most true to the book version
2. Ebbie - A Lifetime movie - but a really great and updated version
3. Scrooged w/ Bill Murray