Justin Bieber and his swelling fan base turned out in force on Friday to watch Justin Bieber: Never Say Never on its opening day.
First estimates put Bieber’s box office haul at $12.4 million which easily tops the four new films opening this weekend. Coming in second was the Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston Valentine’s Day-timed comedy which drew $9.7 million.
Never Say Never is expected to pull back while Just Go With It should pick up some steam as the weekend plays out. By the end of Sunday, its possible Sandler and Aniston will leapfrog Bieber by a hair and take the weekend box office crown somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 million.
Coming in third on Friday was the animated Gnomeo and Juliet with $6.1 million. Upward of $20 million for the little lovestruck garden gnomes is certainly within the realm of possibility.
The fourth newcomer, The Eagle with Channing Tatum, lots its first offensive. An opening haul of $2.7 million will translate to roughly $7 to $8 million through Sunday, hardly what Focus Features had in mind.
Fifth place went to holdover The Roommate with $2.6 million. Last weekend’s winner could potentially pass The Eagle and steal the number four spot when Sunday wraps.
Check back tomorrow afternoon to see if Justin Bieber or Just Go With It won the Valentine’s Day weekend box office brawl.
