First Look: 'Unknown' is surprise leader on Presidents Day weekend so far
"Unknown" is the surprise box office leader midway through Presidents Day weekend.
The Liam Neeson action film has exceeded pre-release projections and taken in $21.8 million from Friday through Sunday, according to an estimate from distributor Warner Bros.
When the holiday weekend ends Monday, "Unknown" will be in a tight race for No. 1 against Walt Disney Studios' 3-D animated "Gnomeo & Juliet," which on its second weekend in release collected $19.4 million, down only 23.5%. As a family film, it's likely to do better on Presidents Day with many parents looking to entertain young kids off from school.
"I Am Number Four," which was expected to top the box office this weekend, proved to be something of a disappointment. DreamWorks Studios' adaptation of a popular young adult novel collected a so-so $19.5 million from Friday to Sunday.
The weekend's other new release, "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," also had a modest debut, taking in just $17 million over three days.
Sony Pictures' "Just Go With It," the romantic comedy with Adam Sandler, which topped Valentine's Day weekend, declined just 40% to $18.2 million.
After many young Justin Bieber fans rushed out to see his 3-D concert film "Never Say Never" when it opened in theaters last weekend, the Paramount release dropped 54% to $13.6 million in ticket sales through Sunday this weekend.
Estimated ticket sales for the full holiday weekend will be reported Monday morning.
--Amy Kaufman
Photo: January Jones and Liam Neeson star in "Unknown." Credit: Warner Bros.
"Taken" was a little known show that put Liam Neeson back in the driver's seat of action heroes not to be messed with regardless of the continent he was on, or old school ties he had in the past. I look forward to seeing "Unknown". If it has the action and "mess with me and I will kill you" ultimatum of "Taken", it will be a hit.
But what the heck... I have like Liam Neeson in his appearances in Nell to Rob Roy.
Posted by: Big Sam | February 20, 2011 at 01:00 PM
No spoilers - it was a great action film! Loved it!
Posted by: jth90c | February 20, 2011 at 04:30 PM
Fantastic film. Knife work, shootings, pistol whipping, intravenous drug use...and that was just in the lobby~~!
Seriously, the film was great. Awesome story, nice twist which was not predictable, lots of grey characters without the cookie-cutter black-and-white good guy/bad guy things, great stunt work, fight scenes and dramatic car chases through exotic an European city. And Liam Neeson is a really compelling leading man. Check it out, you won't be sorry.
Posted by: JayCeezy | February 20, 2011 at 06:01 PM
Liam Rocks and yes I remember Rob Roy... Kickin butt for for years. Injustice does not have a chance when Liam is around.
The best for him!
Posted by: G | February 20, 2011 at 06:49 PM
Excellent TV promos focusing on target demographic propel this one.
Posted by: Alan Dean Foster | February 21, 2011 at 08:13 AM