Box Office Report: Sony's 'Hotel Transylvania' Smashes Records With $43 Mil Opening

In a sizeable victory for Sony, 3D toon Hotel Transylvania debuted to $43 million -- the biggest opening since The Dark Knight Rises and the top September bow ever. It's also the best performance to date for the studio's animation unit.

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The good news didn't end there. Looper, released by Sony's TriStar label in tandem with FilmDistrict and Endgame Entertainment, took the No. 2 spot with a $21.2 million opening. The performance of the two films propelled Sony to No. 1 in domestic market share with $1.285 billion, edging out Warner Bros., according to Sony.

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Looper, a Chinese co-production, is also doing impressive opening business in China, where it's expected to gross between $23 million and $25 million for the weekend.

Hotel Transylvania rolled out in 13 foreign markets, grossing $8.1 million for a worldwide bow of $51.1 million. Mexico led with a stellar $3.6 million.

Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, Hotel Transylvania was fueled by good word of mouth (the film received an A- CinemaScore in North America) and a pent-up demand for family product. The pic's voice cast is led by Adam Sandler -- who plays an overly protective Dracula and hotel owner -- Selena Gomez and Kevin James.

Sony Pictures Animation's previous top debut was The Smurfs, which opened to $35.6 million in summer 2011. The previous best September bow was Sweet Home Alabama ($35.6 million).

Hotel Transylvania also scored the biggest September single day in history with a $19 million Saturday, beating Sweet Home Alabama ($14.7 million).

Bob Osher, president of Sony Pictures Digital Productions President Bob Osher and Sony Animation president of production Michelle Raimo Kouyate drove development and production of the movie, which cost $85 million to produce.

VIDEO: 'Hotel Transylvania' Trailer

"More than anything, this film has been such a collaboration of talent and it paid off in such a huge way. Everyone in our company just loved this film. And to perform at this level in September shows that Hotel Transylvania has something for everyone," Sony worldwide president of distribution Rory Bruer said.

"And to have a second film [Looper] do so well is an incredible feat," Bruer added.

Looper, directed by Rian Johnson and receiving stellar reviews, stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis.

Males made up nearly 60 percent of Looper's audience domestically, while 70 percent of those buying tickets were over 25 and older.

Thanks to Hotel Transylvania and Looper, which received a B+ CinemaScore, weekend revenues should be up 24 percent over last year, ending a post-summer losing streak.

The grim news of the weekend -- Walden Media wide release Won't Back Down, distributed by 20th Century Fox, opened to a dismal $2.7 million, only good enough for a 10th place finish. The education drama, starring Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal, was handily beat by Universal's musical comedy Pitch Perfect, even though that film was only a limited release.

Pitch Perfect grossed $5.2 million from 335 theaters, placing No. 6. The movie expands nationwide next weekend.

Title Post: Box Office Report: Sony's 'Hotel Transylvania' Smashes Records With $43 Mil Opening
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