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Joshua Pasch: I find this result to be absolutely incredible.

I was about to note as Brett did that this move soundly trumps the five-day gross of the Enchanted - a movie that was considered a resounding success for Disney - and one that reinvigorated the "princess" sub-genre for them.

Tangled's three-day gross (having been deflated substantially by a large Wednesday/Thursday total), still trumped Megamind's 3-day total by $3 million and with a great holiday season in front of it, Disney's other animation team has a chance to reach Pixar-level heights with this winner (both critically and financially).

Matthew Huntley: I don't know if "impressed" is the right word so much as the phrase, "exceeded expectations." An opening of $69 million is by no means shabby, but given the movie's theater count and the 3D surcharges, plus the benefit of HP being in his second weekend, I can't say I'm overly surprised by this result, not at a time of year when families are invading theaters. I've no doubt this movie will show some remarkable legs (and may even claim #1 next weekend) over the holiday season, and I could see it grossing about as much as Despicable Me when all is said and done, but it has a reported budget of $260 million (although this seems high to me), so it will have to make a killing both domestically and internationally to show the Mouse House a profit. But its opening, as well as its reviews and audience reception, suggest it's clearly on its way.

Shalimar Sahota: Kinda with Matthew on this one. Obviously great, but impressed? This one was obviously going to come out on top of all the new releases. I'd be more impressed if this stays in the top ten longer than Harry Potter, and so far I think it could just do that. When I saw the first trailer, it did almost look to me like Disney wanted to take a fairy-tale and Shrekerise it. It's supposedly six years in the making, which is why the budget is a rather ridiculous $260 million. The film should be able to make it back once worldwide totals are taken in.

Joshua Pasch: I'm really surprised by the lack of enthusiasm for this opening. It came in roughly $20 million above expectations. That is nothing to sneeze at. This is Pixar/DreamWorks territory in terms of opening weekend - something Disney animators/marketers have not been able to achieve without the Pixar brand name attached.

I will say that this is the first I'm reading about that $260 million budget, which does admittedly temper my enthusiasm considerably. But that shouldn't take away from what is a surprising total over opening weekend. I think it has a solid shot at matching that $260 million - or at least it can come within spitting distance.

Reagen Sulewski: I could be bitter about being talked out of a $50 million prediction or just impressed with what Disney has been able to pull off here, and I'll probably live longer if I go with the latter. I think what we're seeing here is that Disney has been able to adapt their formula to the new reality of animation, particularly 3D animation. Now, it helps that they've had Pixar carrying their water for a decade and that the Disney brand still means something, but they've pulled themselves back into the game, and they're just one great idea away from another Lion King.

I too think the "no princesses" edict is a rash decision - but it probably won't kill them to try and think out of the box for awhile.

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