The Basterds Found Their Glory at the Box Office Challenge

“Inglourious Basterds” scored a new history in Tarantino’s career by earning $38 million worth of tickets in its three first release days. Topped the weekend box office in North America, the film stars Brad Pitt as the leader of a group of Jewish-Americans who carry out violent wartime acts of retribution across Europe bested Tarantino's previous best opening the $25.1 million "Kill Bill Vol. 2" in 2004. “Bill” later finished with $66.2 million in the United States and Canada. So far, "Pulp Fiction" remains Tarantino’s biggest film overall with a domestic haul of $107 million. Overseas, "Basterds" also added $27.5 million in 22 countries, giving it a worldwide total of $65.1 million. It was a promising start for the filmmaker after his previous effort "Death Proof", which is part of "Grindhouse" double feature, displayed a disappointing result at the chart. While, for star Brad Pitt, “Basterds” is also a strong box office acheivement, finishing behind only the Ocean's 11 series ($38.1 million, $39.1 million and $36.1 million openings), “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” ($50.3 million opening) and “Troy” ($46.9 million opening). Released domestically by the Weinstein Co. and overseas by Universal, the film provided a much-needed hit for both studios. Universal has not had a summer to remember, releasing losers like “Land of the Lost” and “Funny People”, and losing millions in the process. Harvey and Bob Weinstein also desperately needed a win as their Company has not had a hit since leaving Miramax.

Sliding to the runner-up spot was last week winner "District 9". Facing a 48% decline in sales, the Neil Blomkamp's sci-fi raked in approximately $18.2 million. The additional ticket sales pushed its domestic bank account total to $72.8 million, which is more than double its $30 million production budget. The movie is on its way to becoming a $100 million sleeper hit.

Meanwhile, the other new openers, “Shorts” from director Robert Rodriguez, comedy “Post-Grad” starring Alexis Bledel (Sin City, Gilmore Girls) and “X-Games 3D: The Movie”, all lived in the shadow of Tarantino and “District 9”. Rodriguez, Tarantino's "Grindhouse" partner, did not fare so well with "Shorts," his Warner Bros. family comedy that debuted at No. 6 with just $6.4 million. The movie features William H. Macy, James Spader, Leslie Mann and a cast of kids in a series of loosely linked adventures centered on a magic rock that grants wishes. Fox Atomic's "Post Grad," starring Bledel as a college graduate who moves back home with her eccentric family after she's unable to land her dream job, tanked with $2.7 million, coming in at No. 11.

Below is the Top Ten Movies at Weekend Box Office for August 21 - 23:
Rank – Film Title – Weekend Gross – Running Total
1 – Inglourious Basterds – $38,054,676 – $38,070,437
2 – District 9 – $18,213,546 – $72,804,317
3 – G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra – $12,204,927 – $120,235,874
4 – The Time Traveler’s Wife – $9,742,427 – $37,165,676
5 – Julie & Julia – $8,800,674 – $59,088,965
6 – Shorts – $6,410,339 – $6,410,339
7 – G-Force – $4,114,661 – $107,224,616
8 – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – $3,478,149 – $290,238,524
9 – The Ugly Truth – $2,774,174 – $82,811,624
10 – The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard – $2,710,194 – $11,247,625