The epic battle flick 300 topped the box office and surprisingly set a new record for a March release this weekend with an estimated $70 million worth of tickets sold during its first three days.
The Zack Snyder-directed movie, based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley, grossed a per-theater average of $22,567, making it the highest-grossing March opening ever and the third-highest-grossing R-rated opener, behind The Matrix Reloaded and The Passion of the Christ.
300 — the ancient tale of how the Spartan King Leonides led 300 of his most fierce warriors to battle against the massive Persian army — cost over $60 million to make, yet was predicted to earn only $50 million.
The special-effects extravaganza is also a record-breaker for Imax theaters with a per-screen average of $54,500 and a total $3.4 million gross on 62 screens. The movie achieved this staggering total even without the benefit of being shown at Imax theaters located in museums, which are unable to play R-rated movies.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
