UPDATE, Sunday:
"Star Trek" finished its four-day debut with $72.5 million. J.J. Abrams' re-imagining of Gene Roddenberry's 43-year-old franchise exceeded Paramount's expectations, but did not outdo "X-Men Origins: Wolverine's" $85 million debut last weekend.
"Trek" took in about $4 million in pre-midnight screenings on Thursday, according to Hollywood.com. Paramount reports the film made $30.8 million on Friday, $27.4 million on Saturday and estimates the cumulative box office gross will be $72.5 million after Sunday.
The sci-fi adventure broke "The Dark Knight's" record for biggest debut weekend gross on IMAX screenings. "Trek" scored $8.2 million in IMAX screenings; "Knight" made $6.3 million on IMAX screens last summer.
"Wolverine" fell 68 percent into the No. 2 spot with $27 million. "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" stayed strong at No. 3 with $10.4 million followed by "Obsessed" ($6.6 million), and "17 Again" ($4.4 million).
Top Ten Estimates from Hollywood.com:
1. Star Trek - $76.5 m (including $4 million from Thursday)
2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - $27 m
3. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - $10.4 m
4. Obsessed - $6.6 m
5. 17 Again - $4.4 m
6. Next Day Air - $4 m
7. The Soloist - $3.6 m
8. Monsters vs. Aliens - $3.3 m
9. Earth - $2.48 m
10. Hannah Montana the Movie - $2.41 m
UPDATE, Saturday:
"Star Trek" took in $24 million on Friday, increasing its two-day total to $30.5 million. Paramount told the Associated Press that J.J. Abrams' sci-fi adventure should reach $70 million for the weekend. "Wolverine" made $35 million last Friday.
But estimates from studio insiders predict "Trek" will finish with 67.5 million for the weekend.
New estimates:
STAR TREK $67.5 m
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE $28.3 m
GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST $10.6 m
OBSESSED $6.7 m
17 AGAIN $4.3 m
NEXT DAY AIR $4.2 m
MONSTERS VS. ALIENS $4.1 m
THE SOLOIST $3.6 m
HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE $2.7 m
EARTH $2.4 m
UPDATE: J.J. Abrams' reboot of the "Star Trek" franchise has brought in about $6.5 million at its Thursday evening opening, according to estimates. Based on tracking, it's expected to reach from $65 to $75 million for the weekend, far short of the $85 million earned by last weekend's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."
Paramount and J.J. Abrams’ long-awaited re-imagining of “Star Trek” could get to $75 million this weekend as it opens in 3,500 theaters starting at at 7 p.m. Thursday.
But it remains to be seen how big of a bite it will take out of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” which stormed theaters last weekend with an $85 million debut.
There are some indicators that suggest “Star Trek,” which opens day-and-date in most territories, could actually match the opening of “Wolverine.”
Paramount’s considerable marketing machine has been working overtime: Moviegoers can’t get away from “Star Trek’s” multiple trailers, print and online advertising; piles of merchandise; and interviews with J.J. Abrams and the film’s young cast on every media platform.
The critics are also pushing “Trek,” which is opening on 135 Imax screens. Sixty
