Good guy or bad guy, Tom Cruise is still No. 1. Cruise’s “Collateral,” in which he plays a psychotic hit man who hijacks a taxi for a one-night killing spree, debuted as the top weekend movie with $24.7 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
While the R-rated “Collateral” did only about half the opening-weekend business of Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible” movies, its debut was in line with his last two R-rated films, 2003’s “The Last Samurai” ($24.3 million) and 2001’s “Vanilla Sky” ($25 million).
With good reviews and an older target audience, “Collateral” has potential to hold well at the box office in the coming weeks. Sixty percent of the audience was older than 25, according to distributor DreamWorks, and upcoming releases such as “Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” and “Alien vs. Predator” appeal to younger crowds.
“This one has the opportunity to continue to play,” said Jim Tharp, DreamWorks head of distribution. “I don’t think there’s direct competition especially for the older audience until late September.”
This marks as Cruise’s 12th film in a row to open at number one at the box office.
Collateral opened day-and-date with the U.S. last weekend in four Asian markets and has very strong results. The Tom Cruise thriller was most potent in Taiwan with a $329,834 debut from 51 screens. With previews Collateral grabbed $432,686 there. In Thailand the film grossed $203,292 on 52 while Hong Kong was better with $280,858 on 28. In the Philippines the Michael Mann helmed production produced $168,983 on 71. The film totaled $982,967 for the weekend off 202 screens.
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