Box Office Takedown 11/21-11/23

In a rather gross overestimate on the studio's part, Universal's The Cat in the Hat fell far short of weekend estimates, which originally had been pegged at a massive $40.1 million opening. As the actual numbers came in today, it was discovered that the estimate had been a bit of a hairball-- instead of having the bragging rights of a massive holiday opener, Cat will have to settle with just being #1 with $38 million, falling far behind the kind of business The Grinch did in 2000, and given the horrible audience and critical reaction, the likelyhood of this turning much of a profit seems slim. The Halle Berry horror flick Gothika also fell short of its estimates, taking in about $19 million. Here are the top ten, provided by Variety:

1. The Cat in the Hat $38,329,160
% Change from last weekend: NEW
Gross to date: $38,329,160

2. Gothika $19,288,438
% Change from last weekend: NEW
Gross to date: $19,288,438

3. Elf $18,715,992
% Change from last weekend: -28.9%
Gross to date: $94,732,626

4. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World $15,213,896
% Change from last weekend: -39.4%
Gross to date: $47,279,725

5. Love Actually $8,644,555
% Change from last weekend: -0.6%
Gross to date: $30,436,985

6. The Matrix Revolutions $7,032,216
% Change from last weekend: -57.2%
Gross to date: $125,382,792

7. Brother Bear $5,346,869
% Change from last weekend: -55.6%
Gross to date: $70,322,073

8. Looney Tunes: Back in Action $4,215,236
% Change from last weekend: -54.8%
Gross to date: $14,891,610

9. Scary Movie 3 $3,135,252
% Change from last weekend: -48.6%
Gross to date: $106,469,358

10. Radio $2,618,254
% Change from last weekend: -45.5%
Gross to date: $47,079,714

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