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American Hustle is in a much better situation. Filmed for a modest $40 million, the latest film from Lily Tomlin’s mortal enemy, David O Russell, grossed $5.4 million yesterday. It has now earned $72.9 million in only 20 days of release. This project is a mortal lock for $100 million now, and could go much higher if it becomes a heavily nominated Academy Awards contender.

Fifth and sixth place are comprised of another pair of holiday winners. Anchorman 2: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is undeniably frontloaded, which is why it fell to fifth place yesterday. It still managed $4.9 million; with $95.9 million in the bank, it should be crossing $100 million by Friday, possibly even by the time you read this. Saving Mr. Banks is in similarly great shape. Another $4.2 million gives the Walt Disney movie $48.3 million against a $35 million budget. It will exit theaters well in the black, becoming the latest hit for everyman celebrity Tom Hanks.

How are you doing with the drinking game? If you have simply taken a swallow once every five times I said “million”, you should have half a dozen drinks in you by now. That should be good enough to handle the final part of the column, which I am calling the Loser’s Bracket (with one exception). If you aren’t sure you are drunk enough yet, please take a moment to chug like you are trying to reboot The Hangover franchise. But…don’t do that. Enough is enough.

Seventh place goes to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The secret is apparently that nobody should ever spend $90 million on a whimsical action dramedy. With $4.1 million yesterday, the Ben Stiller movie has now earned $35.5 million after eight days, and it is fading fast. The film should cross $50 million by Sunday yet it is still wildly unlikely to match its budget.

The movie in eighth place is the lone winner in the bottom group. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire grossed an estimated $2.9 million yesterday. With $398.4 million in the bank, the franchise is on the cusp of greatness today. Today, it will join Star Wars and Batman as only the third franchise to claim multiple $400+ million titles. Before you start using fingers covered in Cheeto dust to send me nasty missives, please note that The Avengers and Iron Man are considered distinct franchises. As of this moment, there are only 18 movies that have earned $400 million domestically. Two of those have The Hunger Games in the title. The feat is particularly stunning when you realize that no Harry Potter movie ever managed to cross $400 million, meaning that franchise went 0 for 8. The Hunger Games is 2 for 2.

The ninth and tenth place entrants are not winners. No, they are what we describe in the most technical terms as bombs. And I mean the ones with split atoms generating their power. 47 Ronin continues to be everyone’s favorite punching bag this week, as the $175 million movie grossed $2.6 million yesterday. Let’s take a moment to look at the positive here. That’s an increase of 86% from Tuesday’s $1.4 million! Now that I have tried to be positive, let’s be realistic. With $26.4 million in the bank after 8 days, it is a box office factor (in the most generous sense of the word) for another five to seven days. A week from now, it graduates into the punch line phase of its eternal existence.

Speaking of punches, Grudge Match grossed $2.2 million yesterday and has a running total of $18.5 million. So the movie has earned about $100,000 per year of age of the two lead actors. At least it feels that way. I should note that I just watched Bullet to the Brain so I’m kind of pissed at Sylvester Stallone right now.

On a site note, tomorrow’s update will be brief. I do intend to write a summary column at some point next week. The Top Film Industry Stories of the Year will also post starting on Sunday. Finally, if anyone involved with the production of 47 Ronin read today’s column, I feel like I should apologize…but COME ON! $175 million?

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