Robots turn into money

By Thomas K. Arnold, Special for USA TODAY

There's no question that Michael Bay's big-budget Transformers is a hit. The question is: How big?

The film — a high-octane, sci-fi smash-fest based on the 1980s toy robot franchise — had an unprecedented 61/2-day opening, so comparing its "opening weekend" with that of other films is more complicated than usual.

CHART: Top 10 weekend films

Over the three-day weekend, Transformers grossed $67.6 million, a strong but not spectacular showing.

But since the special 8 p.m. screenings on Monday, the picture has grossed an estimated $152.5 million.

That's the biggest first week for a non-sequel, beating the original Spider-Man's $151.6 million, the Transformers studios, DreamWorks/Paramount, are quick to point out.

Whether measuring three days or seven, it easily tops recent Fourth of July pictures. Last year: Superman Returns took in $52.5 million in three days, and $108.1 million in its first week. And in 2005: War of the Worlds grossed $64.9 million for the weekend and $121.2 million for the week.

DreamWorks' Marvin Levy credits the film's success to its ability to draw young males and families, "which was a bit of a surprise to us, and a very welcome one."

Gregg Kilday, film editor for The Hollywood Reporter, says Transformers shifted from young males in the first days to families later in the week. He also credits the name recognition of the Hasbro toy franchise, which crosses generations "and which (the studios) appear to have successfully built on."

The film is something of a redemption for Bay, whose previous directorial effort was 2005 dud The Island.

Also of note for the weekend:

•Ratatouille, the eighth computer-animated film from the Disney/Pixar alliance, appears to be serving some satisfied customers. The picture took some heat for being among the lesser Pixar openings ($47 million last weekend). But it took in $29 million, and after 10 days has grossed $109.5 million, just $7 million behind Cars at the same point in its run.

•The romantic comedy License to Wed, with Robin Williams and Mandy Moore, rode a trail of bad reviews to a meager $10.4 million opening. It's No. 4 for the weekend, behind Live Free or Die Hard, which brought in $17.4 million in Weekend 2.

•Evan Almighty rounds out the top 5 with $8.1 million. The film, with an estimated budget of $175 million, isn't gaining momentum and has taken in $78.1 million after three weeks.

•Among the weekend's top 10, Sicko experienced the slightest decline — only 18% from the previous weekend. After three weeks, Sicko's total gross is at $11.5 million. "We said we were going to do steady as she goes, and I think we are going to get there, with room to spare," says Harvey Weinstein of the Weinstein Co., which distributes the film.