Top Box Office Openings

Top Box Office Openings

During the blockbuster movie season, we often hear about the films that set opening weekend box office records. We take a look at the current top movies that raked in the most money during their first weekend in theaters.

17. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones

What would Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) learn after a failed attempt on the life of Padme (Natalie Portman)? Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones raked in just over $80 million during its first three days following its May 16, 2002 release.

16. The Passion of the Christ

Mel Gibson directed this film that depicted the final hours of the life of Jesus Christ (played by James Caviezel). The movie opened on February 25, 2004 and made over $83 million its first three days of release.

15. X2: X-Men United

It was up to the mutants to band together when General Stryker (Brian Cox) was bent on destroying them. The movie, which opened on May 2, 2003, starred Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen, Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart and brought in over $85 million its first weekend.

14. Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) had a new nemesis when an experiment went horribly wrong resulting in the creation of Doc Ock (Alfred Molina). This sequel brought in just over $88 million its first weekend. The movie hit theaters on June 30, 2004.

13. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Danger was lurking at Hogwarts during Harry’s (Daniel Radcliffe) second year. What mysteries did the Chamber of Secrets hold when the film opened on November 15, 2002 with an estimated $88 million?

12. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

The story of Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) began in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone which opened on November 16, 2001. The film made over $90 million during its opening weekend.

11. The Matrix Reloaded

The second installment of this franchise found Neo (Keanu Reeves), Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith) fighting for the survival of the last human stronghold, Zion. “The Matrix Reloaded” made just under $92 million its first weekend after hitting theaters on May 15, 2003.

10. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry had his hands full with Dementors and Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) on the prowl. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban debuted on June 4, 2004 and raked in just under $94 million its first weekend.

9. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry found himself as an unwilling participant in the Triwizard Tournament during his fourth year at Hogwarts. The movie enchanted audiences, becoming the franchises highest debut so far, when it brought in over $102 million during its first three days. The film hit theaters on November 18, 2005.

8. X-Men: The Last Stand

What would the superheroes do when a “cure” for mutants was found? X-Men: The Last Stand

made over $102 million when it stormed into theaters on May 26, 2006.

7. Shrek 2

Shrek was back in this sequel that saw the lovable ogre meeting Fiona’s parents. “Shrek 2” opened on May 19, 2004 and made a whopping $108 million during its debut weekend.

6. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Anakin Skywalker’s slow descent to the dark side came full circle in this culmination of the “Star Wars” series. The movie opened May 19, 2005 and brought in over $108 million its opening weekend.

5. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

The heroes had their hands full with the vengeful Davy Jones and Cutler Beckett as foes. The third movie opened on May 25, 2007 and raked in just under $115 million its opening weekend.

4. Spider-Man

When Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider, he must deal with his new found powers as well as a nemesis in the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe). Spider-Man caught over $114 million in its web after opening on May 3, 2002.

3. Shrek The Third

Justin Timberlake joined the ensemble in "Shrek the Third". The movie opened May 18, 2007 and made over $121 million its first weekend.

2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Captain Jack was back in this sequel starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. The movie opened July 7, 2006 with an opening weekend of over $135 million.

1. Spider-Man 3

This time around Spider-Man has his hands full with the likes of Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), Venom (Topher Grace) and the new formation of the Goblin (James Franco). “Spider-Man 3” opened May 4, 2007 and made over $150 million its first three days.

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