‘Hoodwinked’ leads the pack

The modestly budgeted animated movie “Hoodwinked” pulled ahead in a tight three-way race for the four-day Martin Luther King holiday weekend, according to studio estimates reported Monday. In second place was Disney’s “Glory Road,” with the Queen Latifah comedy “Last Holiday” in third.

Illustrating how close the movies were, “Glory Road” took an early lead Friday and would have been the winner of a three-day contest ending Sunday, with “Holiday” in second and “Hoodwinked” in third. “Hoodwinked,” the animated update of Little Red Riding Hood, moved into the top daily spot Saturday and Sunday.

If Monday’s estimates hold up when actual figures are released today, “Hoodwinked” would become the Weinstein Co.’s first No. 1 debut since brothers Harvey and Bob departed Disney and left Miramax behind.

Preliminary results (in millions) based on studio projections:

*--* Movie 4-day gross Total Hoodwinked $16.6 $16.6

Glory Road 16.5 16.5

Last Holiday 15.7 15.7

The Chronicles of Narnia 12.2 263.4

Hostel 11.7 36.8

Fun With Dick and Jane 10.3 94.2

King Kong 9.2 204.7

Tristan & Isolde 7.9 7.9

Brokeback Mountain 7.1 32.1

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 6.8 74.6

*--*

Source: Nielsen EDI, Inc.

Los Angeles Times