'Van Helsing' Bleeds 60% in Second Frame
HOLLYWOOD (Box Office Mojo)—Van Helsing suffered an alarming fall in its second weekend, one that not even CGI-obsessed director Stephen Sommers could fix in post.

Universal's $160 million intended franchise starter descended 60% to $20.7 million for a 10-day haul of $85.1 million. By comparison, Sommers' and Universal's The Mummy and The Mummy Returns eased 43% to $24.9 million and 50% to $33.7 million respectively.

Among tent poles, only The Hulk (70%), The Matrix Revolutions (66%), Batman and Robin (63%), 2 Fast 2 Furious (63%) and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle fell harder. Indicating how frontloaded movies have become, all but Batman and Robin came out within the past year.

With no quarter from would-be blockbusters in the weeks to come, Van Helsing may not pass $120 million by the end of its run—although, it will still become the highest grossing vampire movie in raw dollars, topping Interview with the Vampire's $105.3 million.

Universal, though, emphasizes the global perspective as that was the studio's strategy in opening in 41 territories simultaneously with America—they were well braced for a sizable second weekend slump. Overseas, Van Helsing rounded up an estimated $24.5 million—down 56%—for a total of $95 million to date. That brings the worldwide tally to $180.1 million so far.

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