Script to Screen

BLOG POST

'Precious' and 'The Blind Side' Prove Counter-Programming Works

 In  Drama, Actors/Actresses, Box Office, Industry

It's not just "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" that's making waves at the box office this weekend, Lionsgate and Warner Bros. have both capitalized on counter-programming to draw audiences into theaters.

Although "New Moon" is the undisputed box office champion of the weekend, "The Blind Side" from Warner Bros. and "Precious" from Lionsgate continue to hold their own.

In "Precious'" third Friday in release, it took in an estimated $3.5 million. Considering that the film is still playing in under 1000 theaters (679 as of Friday), the film has solidified its position as the big indie film of the year. To date, "Precious" has already made $13.9 million at the box office and has proven to be strong across demographics and geographic locations.

"The Blind Side" starring Sandra Bullock took in $10.9 million on Friday. That's the second-best opening ever for a Bullock film, trailing only this summer's big romantic comedy hit, "The Proposal." Based on the book by Michael Lewis, "The Blind Side" is a football drama about Michael Oher, a young man who battled an extremely tough childhood who is now rookie in the NFL, playing for the Baltimore Ravens.

Both "Precious" and "The Blind Side" offer up good alternative movie choices for audiences that might not be interested in debates over "Team Edward" and "Team Jacob." The positive reviews of both films has led to solid box office performances, despite some very stiff competition.

What do you think about how studios release films? Would you like to see more counter-programming when big films like "New Moon" hit theaters or do you have a hard time choosing what to watch? Let us know!

Source:Variety