U.S Box Office Report - 23rd - 25th September 2011

1. The Lion King 3D $22.1M - $22.1M
2. Moneyball - $20.6M - $20.6M
3. Dolphin Tale - $20.2M - $20.2M
4. Abduction $11.2M - $11.2M
5. Killer Elite - $9.5M - 49.5M
6. Contagion $8.6M - $57.1M
7. Drive - $5.7M - $21.5M
8. The Help - $4.4M - $154.4M
9. Straw Dogs - $2.1M - $8.8M
10. I Don't Know How She Does It - $2M - $8M

One week after The Lion King 3D performed above and beyond expectations, four new films enter the arena to challenge the Disney re-release, one of which is also in 3D. These four new films will again be joined by four more next frame. This weekend sees the third frame for Contagion, and the follow up weekend for the well-reviewed Drive. The new releases this weekend see two action flicks joining two real life dramas.

U.S Box Office Report - 16th - 18th September 2011

1. The Lion King 3D - $29.3M - $29.3M
2. Contagion - $ 14.4M - $44.1M
3. Drive - $10.8M - $10.8M
4. The Help - $6.4M - $147.3M
5. Straw Dogs - $5M - $5M
6. I Don't Know How She Does It - $4.5M - $4.5M
7. The Debt - $2.9M - $26.5M
8. Warrior - $2.7M - $9.9M
9. Rise of the Planet of the Apes - $2.6M - $171.6M
10. Colombiana - $2.3M - $33.3M

Another four news films this weekend - a doctored re-release, a remake, and two book adaptations. Contagion opened well last frame but would quickly face dramatic competition while The Help continued to be a law unto itself. Going into the weekend, the no.1 spot was open to anyone, but most figured Contagion would hold firm....

U.S Box Office Report - 9th - 11th September 2011

1. Contagion - $23.1M - $23.1M
2. The Help - $8.6M - $137M
3. Warrior - $5.6M - $5.6M
4. The Debt - $4.9M - $22M
5. Rise of the Planet of the Apes - $3.8M - 167.8M
6. Colombiana - $4M - $29.7M
7. Shark Night 3D - $3.5M - $14.7M
8. Apollo 18 - $2.9M - $15M
9. Our Idiot Brother - $2.7M - $21.4M
10. Spy Kids: All the Time in the World - $2.5M - $34.2M
(14). Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star - $1.4M - $1.4M
(15). Creature - $331K - $331K

This weekend sees the first signs that we're emerging from the August dumping ground with two new releases with excellent pedigree, Contagion and Warrior. They're joined by the little hyped comedy, Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star and horror flick, Creature. Of late, the new releases seem to have barely made a dent, but with such dramatic competition, could The Help hang on to the top spot for the fourth consecutive weekend - something that hasn't happened since Avatar in 2010. Sunday box office may be slightly lower due to 9/11 tenth anniversary.

U.S Box Office Report - 2nd - 4th September 2011

1. The Help - $14.2M - $118.6M
2. Apollo 18 - $8.7M - $8.7M
3. Shark Night 3D - $8.6M - $8.6M
4. The Debt - $9.7M - $11.6M
5. Rise of the Planet of the Apes $7.8M - $160M
6. Colombiana - $7.4M - $21.9M
7. Our Idiot Brother - $5.1M - $15.4M
8. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - $4.9M - $16.3M
9. Spy Kids: All the Time in the World - $4.6M - $29M
10. The Smurfs - $4M - $131.9M

It's Labour Day Weekend in North America meaning the Sunday takes should closer emulate a Saturday, giving some lucky movies a much needed boost. We've got three new films this frame, along with sneak-peaks for the Tom Hardy starrer Warrior and the limited release of A Good Old Fashioned Orgy. Once again, The Help cannot be underestimated.....