It may come as no surprise that Warner Bros.’
cinematographic phenomenon, “The Dark Knight,” is king of the box office for
the fourth consecutive weekend and now bears the title of third all-time box
office champions, behind “Star Wars” and “Titanic.”
Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight,” starring Christian
Bale and the late Heath Ledger, has had a meteoric rise at the box office,
exercising great fascination on moviegoers for what is becoming a
history-rewriting film.
This was the fourth straight weekend for the Batman
installment to reign at the box office, with earnings worth $26 million, taking
its one month domestic total to $441.5 million.
There are only two other movies ahead of it and “The Dark
Knight” may just change its position in the weeks to come.
The last time a film remained number one for four
consecutive weekends was in late 2003 and 2004, when “The Lord of the Rings:
The Return of the King” was released.
“Star Wars” still stands as the second all-time box office
champ, with $461, a moniker it may lose before this weekend is over.
As “The Dark Knight” has already passed the $300 and $400
million marks, it only has to surpass the $500 million milestone and then
perhaps even outtake “Titanic,” with its all-time greatest gross of $601
million.
A feat not inconceivable to some, as Dan Fellman, head of
distribution for Warner, previously predicted hitting the $500 million mark
would happen shortly for the film. After which, “it’s uncharted waters.”
Judd Apatow’s newest production, stoner movie “Pineapple
Express,” almost made it to the top
but not quite, as it earned $22.4 million. The R-rated comedy opened Wednesday
and cumulated $40.4 million.
Seth Rogen and James Franco star as a pothead process server
and pothead small-time dealer, respectively, two buddies who find themselves the
unwilling witnesses in the murder of a drug lord and then the unwilling prey of
his murderers.
“The Mummy: Curse of the Dragon Emperor,” starring Brendan
Fraser, earned another $16.1 million, placing third, while “The Sisterhood of
the Traveling Pants 2,” sequel to the 2005 film, opened at number four with
$10.8 million.
Rounding out the top five is another R-rated comedy, “Step
Brothers,” starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, with $8.9 million.
