This report is based on projections of total U.S. box-office gross from a consensus of industry sources and studio financial models. The U.S. and Canadian returns (about 55% of gross) represent only 20% of a film's final revenue, which includes overseas theatrical, video and TV income. The industry marketing average of $30 million per film is factored into these profit equations, as is the relative strength of specific film genres in foreign markets. Results for the weekend of April 20-22:
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Highlights:
* Paramount has no exposure on "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles," receiving a straight distribution fee. The film was entirely financed by Paul Hogan's production company, including prints and advertising. It should break even overseas.
* "Freddy Got Fingered" will just about break even for 20th Century Fox.
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$$ Mega-Moneymakers ($50 million or more in profit)
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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office* office cost, in receipts,* Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Spy Kids Dimension 2 $35 $110
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$ Moneymakers ($10 million or more in profit)
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Box- Estimated office cost, in Movie title Studio rank millions Along Came a Spider Paramount 3 28 Bridget Jones's Diary Miramax/Univ. 1 26 Blow New Line 6 36 Joe Dirt Sony 7 16 Kingdom Come Fox Searchlight 8 7
Projected U.S. box-office* receipts,* Movie title in millions Along Came a Spider 65 Bridget Jones's Diary 50 Blow 46 Joe Dirt 28 Kingdom Come 24
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? Toss-ups ($5 million or more in profit/loss)
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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office* office cost, in receipts,* Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Enemy at the Gates Paramount 10 70 50 Heartbreakers MGM 11 38 40 Crocodile Dundee in L.A. Paramount 4 25 22 Freddy Got Fingered Fox 5 15 15
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Losers (more than $5 million)
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Box- Estimated office cost, in Movie title Studio rank millions Josie and the Pussycats Universal/MGM 9 22 Tailor of Panama Sony 12 18
Projected U.S. box-office* receipts,* Movie title in millions Josie and the Pussycats 16 Tailor of Panama 12
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Notes: Cost estimates are for production only. Only half of box-office receipts come back to the studio.
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