'Howl' Box Office: Not Too Shabby

In its opening, limited engagement at 42 theaters, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE brought in a very respectable per-screen average of $11,720, tops among limited bows, for a total of $420,000.

That's not scorching hot, but it was the second highest per-screen total (below the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie action/comedy MR. & MRS. SMITH) of the past weekend.

HOWL'S wil expand into 200 theaters next weekend against competition that includes BATMAN BEGINS (starting on Wednesday) and THE PERFECT MAN (Hilary Duff-starring romantic comedy that focuses on her screen Mom Heather Locklear). So there's a window open for HOWL'S mixed appeal to both younger viewers and adult animation lovers.

Here's hoping that word of mouth spreads.