While it came out on top at the box office this weekend, the third entry in The Chronicles of Narnia franchise didn't have much reason to celebrate its number one position. With only $24 million banked during its opening weekend, it suffered an embarrassing debut.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader not only has to worry about being shamed at the box office, it has financial worries to consider. With a budget at $155 million it's the latest in a series of movies this year that are struggling to be profitable. Even when the $80 million it earned internationally is rolled in, the cash flow for the Narnians is problematic. Even though producers have suggested this is the last in C. S. Lewis' seven book series to be made into a movie, after a launch this bad the end of the film adaptations is as inevitable as British children at a Narnian battle.
The Tourist also saw a dismal launch, banking only $17 million against its $100 million budget. Apparently no one likes to pay to watch Johnny Depp act if he's not doing it in a funny hat.
Darren Aronofsky's latest offering Black Swan expanded to only 90 theaters, but took in enough cash to make it to sixth place in the top ten, no small feat. But producers can't breathe easy yet. Despite the movie's relatively slim $13 million budget, it's only at $5 million so far in what is likely to be its best attended release. In two weeks it expands wide, but against some formidable holiday competition.