Box Office: 'New Moon's' $14.3 million dominates 'Ninja' and 'Old Dogs'

How high can the box office for "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" go?  After making another $14.3 million on Wednesday for a new U.S. total of $179 million, the question isn't whether it will hit the $250 million mark it's whether it can hit $300 million.  Considering the first "Twilight" made only $192 million a year ago that would be a stunning achievement. The Chris Weitz blockbuster hardly skipped a beat leaving the frame's three new wide releases far behind.

The Wachowski's "Ninja Assassin" performed the best of the newcomers with $3.3 million.  Following close behind was the critically lambasted "Old Dogs" which dug up $3.1 million.  "Dogs" still did better than one critic's favorite, "The Fantastic Mr. Fox," that found just $1.1 million on only 2,027 screens.  Wes Anderson's stop motion animated endeavor will have to hope that matinee business picks up today and over the holiday weekend when more families are free.

A remarkable story that would be the buzz of Hollywood if not for "New Moon" is the fantastic coin Sandra Bullock's drama "The Blind Side" continues to rake in.  In less than a week the Warner Bros. release has made $50.6 million and found $7.9 million on Wednesday alone.  As one colleague noted last night, "It's making everyone forget about 'All About Steve.'"  Indeed, along with "The Proposal" Sandra Bullock has reestablished herself as a box office force.

Dropping fast is Roland Emmerich's "2012."  The end of the world event flick was good enough to place third with $3.6 million, but with a new cume of $116.9 million it's hard to imagine it hitting the magic $200 million mark.  Sony Pictures will have to rest easy knowing the picture is making a killing overseas.

Look for more box office reports tomorrow and through the weekend on HitFix.

Gregory Ellwood
Editor-in-Chief, Co-Founder

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With over a decade of experience in the movie industry, Ellwood survived working for two major studios and has written for Variety, MSN and the LA Times. A co-founder of HitFix, Ellwood spends his time relaxing hitting 3’s on the basketball court and following his beloved Clippers.