Cowabunga! Simpsons Rule Box Office

Homer and co. make doughnuts; Lohan loses ratings chase

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2007 4:43 PM CDT

(Newser) – Move over, Mr. Burns—America's favorite family became millionaires this weekend. “The Simpsons Movie” took in an estimated $71.9 on its opening weekend, beating industry expectations by more than $30 million. The film’s strong start, buffeted by an aggressive marketing campaign, proved the show's relevance and durability in the face of sagging TV ratings, the LA Times says.

The Adam Sandler romp “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” made $6.2 million in its second week, while the receipts brought no good news to an already embattled Lindsay Lohan. After an apparently drug-fueled car chase landed the starlet behind bars, her thriller, “I Know Who Killed Me,” opened at a disappointing ninth place with $1.9 million.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

In this animated image created by Matt Groening and released by Twentieth Century Fox, the animated Simpsons family make a narrow escape from their besieged home while Homer's new pet pig lags behind,... (Associated Press)

On July 24, Homer Simpson will appear with Jay Leno on The Tonight Show to promote The Simpsons Movie, in theaters everywhere July 27. In the eagerly-awaited animated feature film based on the hit TV... (Associated Press)

hoto/Fox Broacasting Co.) 1998 FOX BROADCASTING (Associated Press)

Actress Lindsay Lohan appears on stage during a taping of MTV's "Total Request Live" show in this May 8, 2007, file photo in New York. Hard to believe now, after all the arrests, car crashes and late-night... (Associated Press)

Lindsay Lohan poses as she arrives at the 2007/8 Chanel Cruise Show presented by Karl Lagerfeld, Friday, May 18, 2007, in Santa Monica, Calif. Lohan was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence... (Associated Press)

Lindsay Lohan poses in this November 2006 file photo in Los Angeles. Lohan, who just finished a second stint in rehab for substance abuse treatment, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early... (Associated Press)

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Cowabunga! Simpsons Rule Box Office