Zack Snyder's adaptation of Frank Miller's 300 graphic novel easily topped the weekend box office charts again with an estimated three-day total of $31 million, which represents a 56% decline from its staggering $70 million opening frame.  While in past years a 56% decline would have been considered severe, in the case of 300, which has now earned over $127 million domestically, it has to be considered a solid performance. 

While it is not at all certain that 300 will be able to match Gladiator's $187 million cumulative (the 'gold standard' for modern sword and sandal epics), the film, which cost only $65 million to produce (and is doing well overseas), is already a major financial success for Warner Bros.

The strong performance of 300, which drew a young, predominantly male (60%) audience during its opening weekend, and that of Ghost Rider, which has now earned $110 million, demonstrate that the audience for action picture blockbusters, which appeared to fade last summer, is back with a vengeance.  300's performance this past weekend looks even better considering the appeal of the first rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament to the film's prime young male demographic.