Bending Eclipse

The Twi-hards came out in force over the long holiday weekend--The newest installment Eclipse easily won the top spot at the box office....But its bite was not as sharp as New Moon

While The Last Airbender did OK at number 2....



THR:

No record? No worries.

Vampires still basked in the rockets' red glare during the weekend, as Summit Entertainment threequel "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" rung up a bloody good $82.5 million in domestic boxoffice during the four-day Independence Day frame.

But though "Eclipse" soared to $175.3 million in cumulative boxoffice since unspooling on Wednesday, that was overshadowed by the $178.9 million that franchise predecessor "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" sunk its teeth into during its first six days in release last November.

Also, Sony's "Spider-Man 2" used a Wednesday-through-Monday bow during 2004's July 4th weekend to register $180.1 million during its first six days in the marketplace.

With the latest "Twilight" installment's production costs estimated at a modest $68 million, "Eclipse" already is well into a profitable orbit. But it will be interesting to see how high it can fly after notable drops in daily grosses following fan-fueled sellouts during the pic's first day of performances.

"This has been a great way to spend the Fourth of July weekend, that's for sure," Summit distribution topper Richie Fay enthused. "If there was a surprise, it was how big the first midnight showings were. Quite frankly, we didn't know what to expect with the Wednesday opening."

Elsewhere at the multiplexes, Paramount's 3D family adventure "The Last Airbender" -- a much pricier $150 million production -- posted a $53.2 million weekend, with a $70.5 million cume since its Thursday bow.

Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 3" fetched $42.2 million in third place for a $301.1 million cume through 18 days in release.

Sony's ensemble comedy "Grown Ups" fell 53% from its first Friday-Sunday in registering $26.5 million in fourth place during its holiday-stretched sophomore session, with an $85.1 million cume.

Fox's "Knight and Day" slid 48% to ring up $14 million in fifth place on the weekend and $49.3 million through its first 11 days.

Based on an animated Nickelodeon TV series, "Airbender" was burdened by dismal reviews but still managed to open significantly better than expected.

The effects-filled fantasy, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, attracted audiences skewing 55% male, with 55% of patrons under age 25.

"To be at over $70 million is just sensational," Paramount exec vp distribution Don Harris said. "It's a credit to the marketing department and to Night in being able to connect with the fan base."

Playing on a mix of 2D and 3D screens, "Airbender" took in $38 million from the latter premium-priced auditoriums, contributing 54% of the movie's overall boxoffice....

EW:

'Eclipse' reaps $175 million over first six days; 'Last Airbender' grosses $70 million...

Next Up: Steve Carell and Jason Segel get animated for Despicable Me; While Nimród Antal and Robert Rodriguez oversee the battle for survival in Predators