Bigger Than 'Pulp Fiction'? Tarantino's 'Django Unchained' Earns $34 Million in its First 3 Days

Leonardo DiCaprio in "Django Unchained." TWC

Despite -- or, more likely, because of -- the debate raging around Quentin Tarantino's latest genre pastiche "Django Unchained," the film has opened to especially large numbers at the box office, even in its position as perverse holiday counterprogramming. The Weinstein Co., Tarantino's loyal backers, must be pleased with the critical and audience response to the super-violent Western so far -- not to mention the roiling public discussion.

The company announced Friday that "Django," which opened Christmas Day to a record-breaking $15 million for an R-rated movie, has grossed $34 million in its first three days of release. This, despite a nearly three-hour running time. This successful start means the film has substantial momentum to carry into its first weekend in theaters.

Tarantino's movies have never been blockbusters, but several have benefited from excited word of mouth and long legs in theaters. "Inglourious Basterds," the filmmaker's previous film and highest grosser, opened at number one in late August 2009 to more than $38 million. It ultimately topped out domestically with $120.5 million, plus another $201 million from foreign moviegoers. "Kill Bill Vol. 1" landed with a similar split in 2003, with $70 million domestic and $111 million overseas after a $22 million opening.

So "Django" has a shot to surpass Tarantino's breakthrough "Pulp Fiction," which grossed $214 million worldwide in 1994, though the more recent film's focus on the pre-Civil War years of American slavery isn't likely to appeal to foreign audiences the way his World War II-set revisionist history "Basterds" did. Whether it does or not, Tarantino's hold on pop culture and draw among fevered filmgoers remain as vicious as a freed slave with a talent and taste for vengeance.

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TAGS: Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained, Box Office, The Weinstein Company

6 Comments

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paul | Fri Feb 01 23:41:39 EST 2013Reply

Django is better film than Pulp Fiction , More Action and better characters , Plus i've noticed Tarantino's films are getting much better and funnier as time goes on , Leonardo DiCaprio should have had an award for his performance in this film , Don johnson was good as "Big Daddy" same with Samuel L. Jackson as old Stephen. Great Film surpasses Pulp Fiction anyday of the week.
Dario | Wed Jan 02 02:30:10 EST 2013Reply

Sorry. Pulp Fiction remains the Platinum standard.

The most revolutionary (and inspirational) movie of the generation. A shift point in Hollywood Filmaking. Django is good, but doesn't reach the perfection that is Pulp Fiction.
Bill | Sun Dec 30 12:10:17 EST 2012Reply

Django Unchained will do gangbusters once it hits foreign markets. They are dying to see it because Americans like it, and Leonardo DiCaprio is a big international draw. If it gets a BP Oscar nomination in I can see it beating IB at the box office.
fred | Sat Dec 29 17:36:33 EST 2012Reply

@Eric - Wrong, i seen "Django" last night and it's spectacular, it's definantly better than "Reservoir Dogs" eventhough that's a fine film and it's own right. I still believe "Pulp Fiction" is Tarrantino's best structured film, but "Django" is my favorite Tarrantino film. That is one entertaining, masterfully made brilliant film, it's that good.
Sim | Sat Dec 29 00:59:24 EST 2012Reply

In all honesty, I think Django Unchained is way better than anything Tarantino has ever made and I LOVE all of his films. This just might be his masterpiece. If he ever makes a movie better than this, I would be totally surprised.
Eric | Sat Dec 29 15:39:43 EST 2012

I saw it. Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction are better. Not even close. Good film though. Entertaining.

Bigger Than 'Pulp Fiction'? Tarantino's 'Django Unchained' Earns $34 Million in its First 3 Days

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Bigger Than 'Pulp Fiction'? Tarantino's 'Django Unchained' Earns $34 Million in its First 3 Days

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