TAXI! TAXI! loses the no.1 spot to LES MISÉRABLES by a slim margin

7 Jan 2013

SINGAPORE - LES MISÉRABLES ascends to no. 1 in its second week as it collects another US$379,850 for a total of US$1,581,907 to date.

Most of the new films make encouraging debuts, with the first domestic film of the year, TAXI! TAXI! (德士当家) leading the pack and debuting at no. 2.

Only a slim US$6,390 separates TAXI! TAXI! from LES MISÉRABLES. The drama comedy about two taxi drivers grossed a healthy US$492,010 (including sneak previews), with a strong first 4-day screen average of US$17,784 from 21 screens. If it follows its current trajectory, TAXI! TAXI! could become the latest domestic film that is not produced by Mediacorp Raintree Pictures or directed by Jack Neo to cross US$1m. In 2011, Gilbert Chan's army horror, 23:59 grossed US$1,208,479, while Michelle Chong's debut romance comedy, ALREADY FAMOUS (一泡而红) made US$1,010,384.

The Wong Jing-directed, Andrew Lau-produced, Chow Yun-Fatt starring vehicle, THE LAST TYCOON (大上海) is the second highest debut, grossing US$231,747 with a screen average of US$9,656 from 24 screens. This is comparable with THE ASSASSINS (铜雀台), 2012's top Chinese period drama action film which started with US$221,553 on 25 screens for a US$503,520 finish.

The family comedy, PARENTAL GUIDANCE is the third highest debut with US$135,367 from 28 screens. Its first 4-days screen average is only a so-so US$4,835 - the lowest amongst all new films.

The Brad Pitt headlined crime drama thriller, KILLING THEM SOFTLY starts with US$62,046 from 8 screens for a screen average of US$7,756, while the action drama CODE NAME: GERONIMO grosses US$36,406 from 5 screens for a screen average of US$7,281.

Two limited releases see unusually small declines in the first week of 2013. The critically acclaimed AMOUR drops a measely 2% and adds another US$5,112 for a US$14,430 total in its second week, while the French international hit, THE INTOUCHABLES fall by an even tinier 1.4% in its 4th week for a total of US$67,165.

Meanwhile, CZ12 (十二生肖) has grossed US$3,685,613 (S$4,521,878) to date - it's now trailing IP MAN 2 (叶文 2) (US$3,291,610/S$4,652,328) to become the most successful Hong Kong film ever in Singapore. Two other big hits from 2012 gained further traction - THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY has now crossed the US$4m mark (US$4,176,970), while LIFE OF PI has crossed the US$3m mark (US$3,035,422).

The overall box office started on a high note in 2013, grossing US$2,028,369 with 27 films in release. This is a whopping 65.64% higher than the same frame from a year ago when SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS ruled the number 1 spot for a second week.

Source: Box Office Mojo

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