'Dr. Seuss' The Lorax' Writes Box Office Prescription!

“Dr. Seuss' The Lorax,” the beloved author's nod to the environment, absolutely shattered expectations with the biggest opening weekend of the year thus far with $70,720,485! The animated Universal release sprouted on 3,728 screens and 269 in IMAX throughout North America. IMAX was once again a huge factor generating $5.4 million or 8% of the weekend gross. “Lorax” is the highest opening weekend for an IMAX animated title in a non-holiday/non-summer playtime.

Featuring the voices of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift, the PG-rated family film follows in the footsteps of 2000's “Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” which opened with $55.1 million, 2003's “Dr. Seuss' “The Cat in the Hat,” which had a $38.3 million debut and 2008’s “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!” and its $45 million opening weekend. The film opened on the birthday of Dr. Seuss, who would have turned 108 this year.

This from Principal Communications Group:

“Dr. Seuss' The Lorax,” opened this weekend in North America to fantastic results besting pre-release expectations and achieving several box office records/milestones including:

• Highest non-Sequel Animated/Family film opening (besting THE INCREDIBLES @ $70.5 million)

• Biggest opening weekend of 2012 (besting THE VOW @ $41.2 million)

• Biggest opening for a Universal Animated film (besting DESPICABLE ME @ $56.4 million)

• 4TH biggest Universal opener of all time (besting THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM @693 million)

• Biggest 2012 weekend opening for a Universal film (besting SAFE HOUSE @$40.2 million)

• Biggest opening for a Chris Meledandri film (besting ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN @ $68 million)

• Biggest opening for a Chris Renaud film (besting DESPICABLE ME @ $56.4 million)

• Biggest opening weekend for a film based on a Dr. Suess book (besting Universal’s own GRINCH STOLE CRHISTMAS @ $55.1 million)