Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS

Columbia Pictures' and Sony Pictures Animation's "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" Delivers Approximately $16 Million of $30.3 Million Opening Weekend Gross in Theatres Equipped with RealD's 3D Cinema Platform

By Staff
posted Sep 22, 2009, 21:04

(Los Angeles, CA) In the widest theatrical 3D film release to date, approximately $16 million in 3D box office was generated by Columbia Pictures' and Sony Pictures Animation's "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" in theatres equipped with RealD's leading 3D cinema platform. "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" earned an estimated $30.3 million in total box office and debuted at #1 during its opening weekend. The box office generated in theatres with RealD technology accounted for over 50% of the weekend's receipts. The film was released in 3,119 locations, and the majority of the playdates were RealD and other 3D bookings.

"'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' is a terrific film with innovative and creative 3D techniques. This is a tremendous victory for our colleagues at Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation and for our worldwide network of exhibitor partners," said Michael V. Lewis, CEO of RealD. "With over $16 million, RealD 3D continued the trend of delivering the majority of box office gross for opening weekend proving once again that audiences everywhere prefer the 3D experience to any other."

Columbia Pictures' and Sony Pictures Animation's "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs", inspired by the beloved children's book, focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain.

Bill Hader, star of "Saturday Night Live" and "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" , is the voice of Flint Lockwood, a young inventor who dreams of creating something that will improve everyone's life. Anna Faris, who recently turned heads as the star of the comedy hit "The House Bunny", takes on the role of Sam Sparks, a weathergirl covering the phenomenon who hides her intelligence behind a perky exterior. James Caan plays Tim Lockwood, Flint's technophobic father. Andy Samberg plays Brent, the town bully who has plagued Flint since childhood. Bruce Campbell plays Mayor Shelbourne, who figures out that Flint's invention can put the town, and more importantly himself, on the map and Mr. T plays the by-the-rules town cop Earl Devereaux. The film also features the vocal talent of Neil Patrick Harris.


About RealD

RealD is a global leader in 3D, bringing the most advanced and realistic digital 3D experience to cinemas worldwide. RealD's new generation technology, deployed across the world's largest 3D platform with 9,000 screens under contract and nearly 4,000 screens installed with 300 partners in 48 countries, provides a stunningly lifelike viewing experience. Beyond cinema, RealD is the worldwide inventor and provider of key stereoscopic technologies used in science, manufacturing, marketing, and other industries, with 30 years of scientific development behind its systems. RealD's mission-critical 3D visualization technologies are used by organizations such as NASA, Pfizer, BMW, Boeing and more. Visit www.realD.com for more information.


About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 100 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at www.sonypictures.com.


About Sony Pictures Animation

Sony Pictures Animation exemplifies the next generation of CGI storytelling to produce a variety of animated entertainment for audiences around the world. Sony Pictures Animation is developing a full slate of films including the mouth-watering 3D comedy "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" now in production for a September 2009 release, in pre-production on "Hotel Transylvania" and in pre-production in association with Columbia Pictures on "The Smurfs Movie". In 2007, "Surf's Up", was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and won two Annie Awards. The company's first film, "Open Season", was a box office success and the #2 DVD title of the year for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Its sequel, "Open Season 2", released in 2009, was an international family hit. Sony Pictures Animation is an operating unit of Sony Pictures Digital Productions.