Pixar and Disney’s endearing toon “Wall-E” and Universal’s Angelina Jolie actioner “Wanted” both did socko business at the weekend box office as overall B.O. revenues for the year ran ahead of 2007 levels for the first time in months.

“Wall-E” easily won the weekend in grossing an estimated $62.5 million from 3,992 runs. The R-rated “Wanted” rocketed past expectations in grossing an estimated $51.1 million from 3,175. Each made the record books.

“Wall-E” nabbed the third best opening for a Pixar film after “The Incredibles” ($70.5 million) and “Finding Nemo” ($70.2 million). It is the second best June opening of all time after “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” ($94.7 million).

At $23.1 million, “Wall-E” scored the biggest opening-day gross of all nine Pixar films, reflecting the fact that kids are finally out of school.

“Wanted” scored the best opening ever for an R-rated film released in June and the 6th best opening of all time for any R-rated pic. Film, also starring James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman, placed No. 2 for the weekend and played equally well among various ethnic groups.

Frame was up by as much as 20% over the same weekend last year, topping off an unusually strong June that has given the domestic box office a much needed boost. Heading into the weekend, year-to-date box office revs were essentially running even with 2007. Through Sunday, revs were slightly ahead.

Coming in No. 3 for the frame was Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow’s “Get Smart,” which enjoyed a good hold in its second weekend. Comedy declined 48% to an estimated $20 million from 3,915 for a cume of $77.3 million.

Even with the entry of “Wall-E”–directed by “Nemo” helmer Andrew Stanton–DreamWorks Animation/Paramount toon “Kung Fu Panda” still rustled up plenty of biz, declining 46% in its fourth sesh to an estimated $11.7 million from 3,670 for a cume of $179.3 million and placing No. 4 for the weekend.

“Wanted” likely diverted attention away from Marvel and U’s own “The Incredible Hulk,” which declined 58% in its third weekend to an estimated $9.2 million from 3,349 runs for a cume of $115.5 million, and 20th Century Fox’s R-rated eco-thriller “The Happening,” which fell off 63% to an estimated $3.8 million from 2,483 runs for a cume of $59 million.

“Hulk” placed No. 5 for the weekend, while “Happening” came in No. 8.

The other comedy in the marketplace, Paramount’s Mike Myers topliner “The Love Guru,” struggled in its second sesh. Pic dropped off 61% in its second weekend to an estimated $5.4 million from 3,012 runs for a cume of $25.3 million. “Guru” placed No. 6.
Source: Variety