“Hotel Transylvania” breaks box office record with $43 mln opening

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a sizable victory for Sony, 3D toon Hotel Transylvania debuted to an estimated $43 million - the biggest opening since The Dark Knight Rises and the top September bow ever. It's also the best performance to date for the studio's animation unit, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The good news didn't end there. Looper, released by Sony's TriStar label in tandem with FilmDistrict and Endgame Entertainment, took the No. 2 spot with a $21.2 million bow. The performance of the two films propelled Sony to No. 1 in domestic market share with $1.285 billion, slipping ahead of Warner Bros., according to Sony.

Looper, a Chinese co-production, also is doing impressive opening business in China, where it's expected to gross $23 million-$25 million for the weekend.

Hotel Transylvania rolled out in 13 foreign markets, grossing $8.1 million for a worldwide bow of $51.1 million. Mexico led with a stellar $3.6 million.

Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, Hotel Transylvania was fueled by word-of-mouth (the film received an A- CinemaScore in North America) and pent-up demand for family product. The film's voice cast is led by Adam Sandler, who plays an overly protective Dracula and hotel owner; Selena Gomez and Kevin James.

Sony Pictures Animation's previous top debut was The Smurfs, which opened to $35.6 million in summer 2011. The previous best September bow was Sweet Home Alabama ($35.6 million).

Hotel Transylvania also scored the biggest September day in history with $19 million on Saturday, beating Sweet Home Alabama's $14.7 million in 2002.