‘Toy Story 2’ Poised to Set New Record

Led by some computer animated toys, the Thanksgiving weekend movie attendance appears to be on course for a box office record. In the first two days of the holiday weekend, the top 12 films grossed an estimated $62 million--24% higher than the same period last year.

Four films dominated the dominated the box office based on early estimates: the Disney/Pixar sequel “Toy Story 2” ($23 million), the Arnold Schwarzenegger action thriller “End of Days” ($11 million) and last week’s leaders “The World Is Not Enough” ($10.5 million) and “Sleepy Hollow” ($8.4 million).

At that rate, the top 12 films could gross between $190 million and $200 million for the five days, compared with $164.2 million for the same number of films last year.

At the head of the pack is “Toy Story 2,” which is running way ahead of the last Disney/Pixar release “A Bug’s Life,” which made $12.5 million in the same two days last year. “Bug’s Life” then added an additional $33.2 million over the next three days, which “Toy Story 2” is expected to beat handily; a five-day total above $60 million is likely. That’s the highest opening ever for an animated film, but not even close to a blockbuster such as “Star Wars: Episode I the Phantom Menace ($105 million in its first five days).

Schwarzenegger’s return to the big screen for Universal Pictures got off to a strong start with the action crowd. But perhaps the bigger surprise is the continuing appeal of the latest James Bond film, “The World Is Not Enough.” So far the film has grossed $52 million in eight days and could be running neck-and-neck with “End of Days” for the No. 2 spot for Thanksgiving weekend.

Meanwhile Tim Burton’s period gore-fest “Sleepy Hollow” has grossed an impressive $43 million over the last eight days.

In fifth place, “Pokemon” continues its steady decline, aided by the arrival of “Toy Story 2,” taking in only $2 million for the two-day period and about $70.5 million since its release 15 days ago. “Toy Story 2” is expected to easily eclipse “Pokemon’s” opening five day total of $50.7 million.

The remaining films in the top 12 held on or actually gained thanks to increased movie attendance. The one casualty appears to be the Robert De Niro comedy “Flawless,” which grossed about $500,000 in its first two days, according to industry sources.