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The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian was crowned number 1 at the weekend bix office--But has Narnia lost some of its luster?


Pamela McClintock of Variety

Walt Disney sequel “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” easily won the weekend box office in grossing an estimated $56.6 million from 3,929 theaters in a strong, but not spectacular, start.

The adventure-fantasy, reteaming Andrew Adamson with the cast of the first film, wasn’t able to match the $65.5 million opening of “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Family films can start out slow, but have playability. “Caspian,” which drew an A CinemaScore, hopes for just that, even with Steven Spielberg’s PG-13 “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” opening on May 22...

In its second weekend, Warner Bros.’ “Speed Racer” didn’t seem to fall in that category of family pics showing muscle. Film, a disappointment, declined a steep 59% in its second frame to an estimated $7.6 million from 3,606 runs for a cume of $29.8 million in its first 10 days, according to Rentrak.

There is no doubt that “Prince Caspian” came in slightly below industry expectations, which had the sequel opening at least as high as the first. Overall, the weekend was down a hefty 27% from the same weekend last year when “Shrek the Third” led with a $121.6 million bow.

There are several differences between the two “Narnia” films: The first opened closer to Christmas in early December 2005, and was based on the most well-known book in C.S. Lewis’ acclaimed children’s book series. “Prince Caspian,” promoted for having more action, skewed slightly older.

Other franchises have seen sequels post a lower opening number than the original, including “Spider-Man” and “Harry Potter.”

Par’s “Iron Man” continued to impress, becoming the first film of 2008 to leap the $200 million mark at the domestic box office and coming in No. 2 for the frame. Film declined 39% in its third frame to an estimated $31.2 million from 4,154 runs for a cume of $222.5 million.

20th Century Fox’s Cameron Diaz-Ashton Kutcher “What Happens in Vegas” is proving a surprise sleeper, declining just 31% in its second frame to come in No. 3 for the weekend. Comedy grossed an estimated $13.8 million from 3,255 runs for a cume of $40.3 million.

On the specialty side, Overture’s “The Visitor” made the top 10 list for the first time, grossing an estimated $687,000 from 224 runs for a cume of $3.4 million in its sixth frame.

Joshua Rich of EW:

''Prince Caspian'' may have won the weekend, but it did so with a disappointing $56.6 mil

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Congrats to What Happens in Vegas... for hanging tough amid the summer blockbusters.