Box office predictions for director Gary Ross‘ big-screen adaptation of the Suzanne Collins novel, The Hunger Games were floating around $130 million, and though the actual box office numbers spent a good 24 hours fluctuating, they seem to have finally settled at a staggering $152 million in North America alone, $10.2 million of which came from IMAX theatres. The IMAX numbers are an opening-weekend record for a digital-only release and a non-sequel 2D release.
Lionsgate reports that the film scored a whopping $214.25 million worldwide and now holds the distinction of being the 3rd largest three-day weekend opening, just a few million dollars shy of Christopher Nolan’s 2008 blockbuster, The Dark Knight.
No doubt because of it’s tremendous box office success, Deadline reports that ABC Family has already secured the basic cable rights to not only The Hunger Games, but it’s planned sequel, Catching Fire as well.
ABC Family president Michael Riley said,
“This tremendous opening weekend reinforces what we have already learned — a powerful heroine, themes of romance and iconic characters will keenly resonate with our Millennial audience”.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoUT7q2iTbQ[/youtube]
Synopsis:
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.
Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
The Hunger Games is in theaters now.
The Hunger Games is expected to begin airing on ABC Family in 2014.
