Hitch Sets Record as Biggest Midweek Valentine's Day Ever

Columbia Pictures' hit romantic comedy Hitch generated $7,515,442 on Monday, becoming the biggest midweek Valentine's Day ever at the nation's movie theaters, it was announced today by Jeff Blake, Vice Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The Will Smith romantic comedy directed by Andy Tennant has earned $50,657,656 since opening on Friday. The film set the record over the weekend as the biggest opening ever for a romantic comedy with $43,142,214.

"Audiences are clearly falling in love with Hitch," said Blake. "It's winning combination of comedy and romance made it a perfect choice for Valentine's, or any other day when you are looking for a fun time at the movies."

The previous record high for a Valentine's Day falling on midweek was set by Hannibal on February 14, 2001, when that film earned $5,097,007.

The strong midweek business for Hitch continues to position the film well as the comedy heads into the four day President's day weekend.

Hitch is the third straight #1 film released by Sony Pictures in 2005. The studio also scored a rare trifecta at the box office this past weekend by releasing the #1, #2 and #3 movies with Hitch, Boogeyman, and Are We There Yet? The trifecta is first time the same studio has fielded the top 3 films in the past 15 years.

In Hitch, Will Smith stars as Alex "Hitch" Hitchens, a true urban myth -- a legendary New York City "date doctor" who, for a fee has helped hundreds of men woo the women of their dreams. The ultimate professional bachelor, Hitch discovers that all of his tried and true tricks of the trade are no match for Sara (Eva Mendes), the one woman he truly loves. Directed by Andy Tennant, the film is written by Kevin Bisch and produced by James Lassiter, Will Smith and Teddy Zee.

About Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.

For further information, please contact Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, +1-310-244-7142, steve_elzer@spe.sony.com.

SOURCE: Columbia Pictures

CONTACT: Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations of Columbia
TriStar Motion Picture Group, +1-310-244-7142, steve_elzer@spe.sony.com

Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/