Depp's 'Pirates' scores record $132M debut

Actor Orlando Bloom poses for photographers during a news conference for their film "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" in Tokyo July 10, 2006. The film opens in Japan on July 22. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN)

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Actor Johnny Depp attends a news conference for his film "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" in Tokyo July 10, 2006. The film opens in Japan on July 22. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN)

The sci-fi tale of drug addiction "A Scanner Darkly" debuted strongly in limited release with $406,000 in 17 theaters. Shot in live action then painted over with digital animation, the movie stars Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder and Robert Downey Jr. in a hallucinatory tale adapted from Philip K. Dick's novel.

In a single weekend, "Dead Man's Chest" reeled in 43 percent of the $305 million total domestic gross the original "Pirates" rang up in its entire six-month theatrical run.

The movie's audience was equally divided between males and females, and it drew strongly from all age groups, according to Disney.

"It is straight across the board," said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney, which based the movies on its "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme park ride. "Everybody's coming. Whoever it is, they're there."

Even factoring in higher admission prices since 2002, "Dead Man's Chest" still set a record of just under 20 million tickets sold, about 200,000 more than "Spider-Man."

"Maybe the only movie that has a chance to beat this record might be the next `Pirates' movie," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Audiences won't have to wait long. Disney shot much of the third installment at the same time as "Dead Man's Chest," which ends in a cliffhanger leading into part three, due in theaters over Memorial Day weekend next year.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," $132 million.

2. "Superman Returns," $21.85 million.

3. "The Devil Wears Prada," $15.6 million.

4. "Click," $12 million.

5. "Cars," $10.3 million.

6. "Nacho Libre," $3.3 million.

7. "The Lake House," $2.8 million.

8. "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," $2.5 million.

9. "Waist Deep," $1.9 million.

10. "The Break-Up," $1.6 million.