“Enchanted” placed a spell on moviegoers as the comic fantasy scored the second-best Thanksgiving weekend opening ever at the box office, according to studio estimates released yesterday.
The Disney film – about an animated, long-ago princess transported to real-life, modern Manhattan – made $50 million in five days.
“Disney’s magic was in full display with this film,” said Jeff Bock, an analyst with box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
“It was really the perfect Disney film, blending the old sensibilities with the new.”
Only 1999’s “Toy Story 2” had a bigger Thanksgiving opening – $80.1 million during its five-day debut, Bock said.
Meanwhile, the holiday dramedy “This Christmas” shot to a surprise second, with a five-day haul of $27.1 million.
“I don’t think anybody was expecting this,” said Bock. “But a great Christmas setting is sometimes all the concept you need.”
“Beowulf” dropped to third, with $23.3 million.
“Hitman” bagged fourth, with $21 million.
And “Bee Movie” buzzed to fifth, with nearly $16 million.