More early estimates, more numbers. We love those big numbers. After a good Thursday opening with $25 million, ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ is picking up its pace. Yesterday’s $25 million was a little disappointing, considering how early projections were much higher. But now it seems like the movie is playing like a family oriented film, tracking well from 25 years and up. Not the hyper-charged crowd who has to see the movie on its opening day.

The Friday box office estimates for ‘Indiana Jones 4′ indicate another $30.8 million, which would make a total of $56 million for Thursday and Friday. Not spectacular, but still very good. This would translate into $100 million for the traditional 3-day weekend — Friday to Sunday. And a total of $150 million for the 5-day Memorial Day weekend. The 5th place in box office history for the 5-day event.

I wasn’t expecting the old man to break records and it looks like it won’t. But I think Steven Spielberg and his gang can safely say they will get paid, since their baby will break $400 million worldwide.

1. Narnia: Prince Caspian: $68,044,920 ($200 million budget)
2. Iron Man: $40,882,027 ($186 million budget, third week)
3. What Happens in Vegas: $18,788,250 ($35 million budget, second week)

Continue reading This week’s box office roundup

When I first reported on the high ‘Indiana Jones 4′ tracking numbers, I must say I wasn’t feeling it. And when some analysts said ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ might do $50 million on Thursday alone, I thought well, I could be wrong. But as it turns out, those numbers were a little too optimistic. Early estimates indicate anywhere between $24-$27 million for Thursday alone.

Yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) early screenings were good for an estimated $4.5 million — the ones after midnight. Of course you can’t compare those diehard fans to the more casual crowd this weekend. So those midnight numbers don’t prove much. But now that the early Thursday numbers are in, we can conclude Indy 4 is off to a good start. Not record breaking yet, but it might still break some during the weekend.

More on Indy’s box office when new numbers come in.

UPDATE: the final figure is a little over $25 million, according to Paramount.