Recession boosts cinema attendance

It's great news for cinema. "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" rejuvenated the world cinema box office, as the Spielberg adventure, starring Harrison Ford, raked in an estimated $312 million worldwide. Now, "Sex And The City" is all set to generate sumptuous box-office figures, leading this summer into a box office success. It seems audiences are finding an outlet to escape from rising prices and recession.

"Sex And The City ," made for an estimated $55 million to $65 million, is attracating females over 25 as "The Devil Wears Prada," which reached $326.3 million in worldwide ticket sales, became a hit riding on the women power.

Written and directed by Michael Patrick King, "Sex and the City" reunites stars Sarah Jessica Parker (as the fashion freak Carrie), Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon along with their love interests and gay pals like Mario Cantone's opinionated wedding planner.

"Sex And The City," opening in the UK Thursday, taking $4.1m (£2.1m) across 453 sites on its first day, established a strong trend in its favour.

The film, which saw crowds of female fans waiting in long queues outside of London cinemas to get a first glimpse of the anticipated film, enjoyed a $9,004 (£4,563) screen average, beating out Indiana Jones' first day screen average last week of $8,114 (£4,119). Indy's first day takings took $4.4m (£2.2m) from 534 sites last Thursday (May 22).

As prices of essential commodities rise and recession hits, people usually feel a bit low. They look for an outlet to make them happy, however, momentarily. Cinema is handy under the circumstances. It provides you a great escape for three hours.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" generates an estimated $312 million worldwide The top 5 movies at U.S. and Canadian theatres Friday through Monday

1. "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," Paramount, $126,917,373, 4,260 locations, $29,793 average, $151,958,445 (includes $25 million opening on Thursday), one week.
2. "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," Disney, $29,810,163, 3,929 locations, $7,587 average, $97,855,173, two weeks.
3. "Iron Man," Paramount, $26,111,130, 3,915 locations, $6,670 average, $258,278,546, four weeks.
4. "What Happens in Vegas," Fox, $11,363,713, 3,188 locations, $3,565 average, $56,609,605, three weeks.
5. "Speed Racer," Warner Bros., $5,272,202, 3,112 locations, $1,694 average, $37,481,539, three weeks.