Weekend Box Office: ‘Avatar’ Hauls In $77 Million

James Cameron may have mastered all sorts of new technology for “Avatar,” but the self-proclaimed “king of the world” still hasn’t harnessed the weather. Better get on that, Jimbo. “Avatar” did nice business domestically — $73 77 million over the weekend — but one wonders what heights it could have ascended to if it weren’t for the foot-deep blanket of snow that covered the East Coast. According to Variety, the eye-numbing pic boasts the second-highest December opening ever after “I Am Legend.” “Avatar” may have had cat people, epic battles, and 3D technology, but apparently it needed zombies and Will Smith to break that record. The film’s $21,000+ per screen average bodes well, though it was certainly bolstered by the higher ticket prices for the 3D-enabled screens. With great, glowing reviews (with the exception of our “B” assessment) and near-unanimously positive audience response, the Cameron film should have legs (long, blue ones, of course). We’re predicting repeat business for the innovative film for fans who need another look at the impressive FX — and another migraine from two-and-a-half hours of 3D glory. The tech-obsessed auteur should also be pleased with its worldwide total of $220 -230 million, which puts the film well on its way to making back its massive production and marketing budget.

The weekend’s other wide opener “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” came in fourth and matched lead actress Sarah Jessica Parker’s slimness with a svelte $7 million weekend — and just $2,575 per screen. But it wasn’t just the snow that kept East Coasters (and apparently everyone else) away; blame has to fall on the tired fish-out-of-water concept, awful trailers, and even worse reviews. With a reported budget of $58 million, the future basic-cable mainstay isn’t likely to make its budget back. Hopefully, this won’t damn co-star Elisabeth Moss’s chances for a post-“Mad Men” movie career.

Disney’s return to traditional animation and its possibly unsuccessful attempt at an overdue integration of its princess line, “The Princess and the Frog,” still isn’t living up to expectations in its second week of wide release with a modest $12 million. It dropped the standard 50% this week, but Disney must have been hoping for less of a dip with its decent reviews. Meanwhile, “The Blind Side” continues its left-tackle-worthy barrel through the competition with another $10 million, bringing the film to almost $165 million in its fifth week of release. Oscar buzz and box office receipts continue to mount for Sandra Bullock, but even if she gets nominated, will voters penalize her for “All About Steve” a la Eddie Murphy and “Norbit”?

Oscar hopeful (and Golden Globe nominee) “Invictus” faced a 50% drop in its second week and made only $4.1 million, which means that the awards announcement didn’t give the film a boost. Rugby fans — and Clint Eastwood acolytes — should make a giant scrum if they want the film to make its production budget back (to say nothing of its marketing budget — we’ve been seeing ads for the film everywhere). Meanwhile, fellow awards-grabber “Up in the Air” expanded its limited release to 175 theaters, making its debut in the top ten. The George Clooney vehicle goes wide on Christmas, and we’re sure plenty of filmgoers are eager to make the handsome star a part of their holiday celebrations, especially after staring at the decidedly average faces of their family members all day.

Opening on just four screens, Rob Marshall’s “Nine” earns the top per-screen average with $61,000 for each location, totaling $247,000 in its first weekend of limited release. Using this picture of Penelope Cruz’s beckoning thighs (the best part of the movie, along with her Globe-nominated performance) can only help the film as it expands, which means good news for the Weinstein Company (particularly the poor assistants who work under the notoriously difficult Harvey and Bob), who need the mediocre “Nine” to do well to ensure the future of the mini-major. Two other prestige pics — “The Young Victoria” and “Crazy Heart” — hit a few screens this weekend as well. The royal biopic averaged $7,400 per screen at 20 locations for a total of $148,000, while Jeff Bridges’ excellent performance as a fading country star earned “Crazy Heart” $110,000 from just four screens.

1. Avatar – $73 million ($73 mil.)
2. The Princess and the Frog – $12.2 million ($45 mil.)
3. The Blind Side – $10 million ($165 mil.)
4. No One Cares About the Morgans – $7 million ($7 mil.)
5. New Moon – $4.4 million ($275 mil.)
6. Invictus – $4.2 million ($16 mil.)
7. A Christmas Carol – $3.4 million ($131 mil.)
8. Up in the Air – $3.1 million ($8 mil.)
9. Brothers – $2.6 million ($22 mil.)
10. Old Dogs – $2.3 million ($44 mil.)