Go ahead. Make my weekend.
Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino” revved up the winter box office with $29 million in ticket sales in its first weekend of wide release, according to studio estimates released yesterday.
It’s Eastwood’s best opening ever, topping the $18 million his “Space Cowboys” made in 2000.
Eastwood, 78, has said it will be his last starring performance.
While awards season heated up with last night’s Golden Globes, most of the major contenders had solid numbers, although mostly in limited release.
Brad Pitt’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” took in $9.4 million in its third week of release.
“Milk,” “Revolutionary Road” and “The Wrestler” were among the best performers in per-screen average. Each could continue to build momentum as the Oscars near.
“Defiance,” in its second week, led with a robust $33,000 screen average.
Fox Searchlight’s underdog hit “Slumdog Millionaire” added $3.7 million to its total of $34 million.