'Secretariat' leads pack of movies holding well at box office

“Secretariat” has hardly slowed down since it opened in theaters two weeks ago, putting it at the head of a pack of several films that have enjoyed strong second, third or even sixth laps around the box office track recently.

Most movies see ticket sales fall about 50% on their second weekend in theaters and end up grossing a little less than three times their opening take.

However, Disney’s horce racing drama has dropped only 25% and 26% on its second and third weekends in theaters since its weak $12.5 debut. Thanks primarily to smaller midwestern markets, it’s now on its way to a respectable if not great domestic gross of more than $50 million and possibly more than $60 million.

“Red,” an action movie about a group of aging assassins and former CIA agents, held onto its adult audience nicely after a so-so $21.8-million opening, dropping only 31%. It should end up with a solid box office total of more than $80 million.

“The Social Network” has fallen 33% or less for three straight weekends since its decent $22.4-million debut and is on track to end its domestic run at close to $90 million.

— Ben Fritz

Photo: Diane Lane, left, Otto Thorwarth and Margo Martindale in "Secretariat." Credit: John Bramley / Disney.

Comments

[Jan S.]

So did the movie end with Secretariat being put down because he had laminitis so bad he could no longer walk? That is the truth of what happened to this great horse. He died without his loving groom.

[bud]

No. It is worth seeing, though. The movie is more about the people than the horse, as you might expect.

[Gil]

Omg, lol they really want to hype this film. This is not the Blind Side, stop trying to make this happen lol. It wont get an Oscar.