Dreamworks moved Shrek 2's debut up two days by opening on Wednesday, but (unlike The Matrix sequels) the mid-week showings did not detract from Shrek 2's monster 3-day opening weekend total, conservatively estimated at $104.3 million, ranking second only to Spider-Man's $114.8.
 
Shek 2's Saturday total of $44.8 million topped Spider-Man's Saturday total of $43.6 million and ranks as the largest single day gross of all time.  Shrek 2 broke the record for the number of theaters, breaking the '4,000' barrier with a total of 4,163 (out of 5,659) compared with Spider-Man's 3,876 theaters. 

 

According to data released by Dreamworks, families comprised 60% of the audience for Shrek 2 versus the 80% family audience for the first Shrek during its opening weekend (and typical for animated films), indicating Shrek 2's broad appeal to teens and singles.  The 40% non-family audience was evenly split between males and females and between those over and under the age of 25. 

 

Like the critics (see 'Shrek 2 Poised for Box Office Run') audiences, for the most part, loved Shrek 2 with 81% rating it 'excellent,' 11% 'very good,' and over 70% claiming they would see the movie again.

 

The first Shrek filmed demonstrated great 'legs' and ended up grossing six times its opening weekend total during its domestic run, a feat that Shrek 2 will find it nigh unto impossible to match.  Still the odiferous ogre could very well end up this summer's box office champion.  The champs for the past five years have all opened in May, while Shrek 2's main competition, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azbakan and Spider-Man 2 both open in June.  Shrek 2 will be up against much stiffer competition in the coming weeks than its predecessor was, but if it can demonstrate some staying power, it will be very difficult to overtake.

 

By boosting this weekend's box office total by 55% from the previous week, Shrek 2 injected some badly needed energy into what has been so far a lackluster start to the summer movie season, but its success didn't necessarily come at the expense of its rivals.  Troy fell only 49% and has earned over $85 million in just two weeks, while Van Helsing added some $10 million to a total that is now over $100 million.  Kill Bill 2 is still hanging around the top 10 in its ninth week, but The Punisher is toast at #22 and will finish up its domestic run with its current total of $33 million.