"Pirates" domestic start softer than overseas

Reuters

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Disney's 3D "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" is off to a softer start in North American than overseas, reflecting the overall downturn at the domestic box office and the fact that it's been four years since the last installment in the blockbuster franchise played on the big screen.

Judging by Friday matinees, "On Stranger Tides" should gross in the mid $30 million range for the day, meaning it will earn closer to $90 million for the weekend, versus $100 million. That would put it well behind the $114.7 million opening for "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," the last installment in the blockbuster Johnny Depp franchise.

Overseas is a different story, where "On Stranger Tides" is off to a dazzling start, grossing $44.2 million on Wednesday and Thursday as it rolled out in its first 37 territories. That's 10 percent ahead of "At World's End."

Foreign box office observers say "On Stranger Tides" film should open north of $150 million internationally, and as high as $200 million.

"On Stranger Tides" is an expensive proposition for Disney, having cost $250 million to produce before a major marketing outlay.

The studio was hoping for a $100 million opening domestically. Nevertheless, "On Stranger Tides" is still hoping to score the best opening of the year, besting the $86.2 million earned by "Fast Five."

From Universal Studios, "Fast Five" grossed $34.4 million on its first Friday, including $3.8 million in midnight runs. "On Stranger Tides" grossed $4.7 million in midnight runs on Thursday, playing in the double the number of theaters that "Fast Five" did.

On Friday, "On Stranger Tides" moved into a total of 4,166 theaters in North America, including 256 IMAX locations, a record number for the large format exhibitor.

Elsewhere at the Friday box office, Universal's "Bridesmaids" was enjoying a good hold after opening to an exceptionally strong $26.2 million last weekend and totaling

$38.4 million through Thursday. The R-rated comedy should come in No. 2 for the weekend.

Sony Pictures Classics specialty debut "Midnight in Paris" was off to a good start on Friday as it opened in six theaters in New York and Los Angeles.