Family film Red Dog has now crept past Rob Sitch comedy The Dish to become the eighth biggest Australian film of all time, according to the Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia.
The story of the lovable canine, directed by Kriv Stenders, has now grossed more than $18.7 million at the local box office after two months. Over the long weekend, the Roadshow-distributed film took in a further $956,744 across 245 screens, giving it a screen average of $3905.
Meanwhile, Fred Schepisi's The Eye of the Storm creeps closer to the $1 million mark. The adaptation of Patrick White's novel made $283,625 over the long weekend on 38 screens, bringing its total takings to $947,965. Paramount/Transmission has more than doubled the number of screens to 38 since the film opened on September 15. The film marks Schepisi's first Australian film in 23 years.
Sony animated hit The Smurfs continues its reign at the local box office, taking in a further $3.9 million over the long weekend across 457 screens. In its opening weekend, romantic comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love ranked second, earning Warner Bros $3.6 million from 327 screens.
Spy spoof Johnny English Reborn ($2.2 million from 276 screens), The Lion King 3D ($1.9 million across 192 screens) and Abduction ($1.1 million from 181) rounded out the top five as the first weekend of the school holidays came to an end.
Local action thriller Killer Elite continues to show on almost 3000 screens across the US. Over the weekend, the film took $US4,916,839, giving it a screen average of just $1647, according to Box Office Mojo.
The movie, which stars Jason Statham and Robert De Niro, has now grossed more than $US17.5 million and is currently ranked ninth at the US box office. It's set to be released in Australia on December 1.
This Thursday will see the release of local psychological drama The Hunter, which stars Hollywood actor Willem Dafoe, alongside Australian films Caught Inside and Surviving Georgia.
Australian films at the box office 2011
Source: IF, MPDAA, Transmission Films