Box Office: 'The Help' stays at No. 1 over Labor Day weekend

'Apollo 18,' 'Shark Night' have decent debuts, while 'The Debt' opens strong

By Dave Lewis Saturday, Sep 3, 2011 1:50 PM

'The Help'

The long Labor Day weekend is providing some help to "The Help."

The historical drama grossed $3.6 million so far this weekend, on its way to $14 million for the frame. The film, starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis and Emma Stone, is closing in on $120 million after three weeks.

Meanwhile, Weinstein Company's low-budget found footage thriller "Apollo 18" scared up a decent $2.8 million, and is projected to earn $11 million for the weekend, just below the studio's expectations.

Another debut, "Shark Night 3D," earned $2.8 million, aided by playing on 3D screens. The film should earn around $8 or $9 million over the three-day.

However, the more specialized thriller "The Debt," powered by Helen Mirren and Sam Worthington, may give "Shark Night" a run for its money. The film earned an impressive $1.9 million Friday, from significantly less screens.

Dave Lewis
Producer

Dave Lewis has been a Los Angeles-based entertainment writer and editor for nearly ten years. Originally hailing from Minneapolis, he moved to L.A. in 1996 to attend USC, before working for various periodicals and web sites including a lengthy stint at Variety.com. He joined the HitFix staff in 2011.