Wiki News/Inception Box Office Suffers First Defeat

Inception box office has soared the last two weekends and the box office numbers were predicted to be just as good this weekend, despite Inception's new competition. Four new movies, opening to four different demographics, were facing off against Christopher Nolan's epic. However, both iCarly: The Movie and Dinner For Schmucks was expected to come close, although few knew what it could do. As it turned out, it too may have subverted expectations, causing Inception box office numbers to place No. 3 for the first time - though it may not last the whole weekend.

According to Deadline Hollywood, it is iCarly: The Movie, not Dinner for Schmucks and not Inception, that is No. 1 after today. The G rated feature reportedly made $19.6 million on it's opening day to overtake the two-time defending box office champ. In spite of mixed to disappointed reviews, fans of iCarly came out strong yesterday. The Steve Carell/Paul Rudd comedy reportedly made $8.3 million on its opening day where fans of Carrell and Rudd also comes alot.

As for Inception box office, it underperformed for the first time. After the big holdover business from last weekend, some thought it would only drop 30 percent again this week. However, it had a 38 percent drop from last Friday, although it still made an estimated $8.1 million.

Last weekend, Inception box office numbers convincingly outpaced Salt, in a heavily hyped battle. However, this week's Inception vs Dinner For Schmucks showdown could be even closer, right down to Monday's final estimates.

Although Inception box office is down from No. 1 to No. 3 after Friday, Deadline Hollywood still estimates that it could win the weekend - only in a closer battle than expected. iCarly: The Movie is now estimated to make $50 million overall to No. 1, folliwing Dinner For Schmucks with an estimated $24 million to No. 2, with Inception estimated at $25 to No. 3, for a total of $190.3 overall.

In addition to the close battle for first place, the battle for third seems to have been won by Salt. It took an estimated $5.9 million, ahead of Charlie St. Cloud's $5.6. This should guarantee a healthy $100 million plus for Angelina Jolie's spy thriller, while Zac Efron still struggles to open an non High School Musical film. Meanwhile, the sequel to Cats & Dogs bombed in seventh place, as Despicable Me remains the number one family film at sixth.