Audiences March to "War", Tom Cruise Film Opens to $34.6 Million Day  6/28/05

Audiences March to 'War': Steven Spielberg - Tom Cruise Film Opens to $34.6 Million Worldwide in Its First Day

'War of the Worlds' Marks Biggest Opening Day in Paramount History and Tom Cruise's Largest Opening Day Ever

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- "War of the Worlds," a Steven Spielberg film starring Tom Cruise, has opened to an estimated $34.606 million, worldwide, in its first day. The film took in $21.256 million domestic in 3,908 theaters, representing the largest opening day in the history of Paramount Pictures as well as the largest opening day for a Tom Cruise movie. The film also made an estimated $13.350 million internationally from 46 territories; the film has yet to open in 10 markets, including the U.K., France, Belgium, and Korea.

Rob Friedman, Vice Chairman of the Paramount Pictures Motion Pictures Group, said, "We're ecstatic; this is just the beginning of a long and successful run at box offices around the globe. We've got a dream team of Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg and they've both delivered yet again."

From Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures comes "War of the Worlds," directed by Steven Spielberg and starring international superstar Tom Cruise. A contemporary retelling of H.G. Wells's seminal classic, the sci-fi adventure thriller reveals the extraordinary battle for the future of humankind through the eyes of one American family fighting to survive it. The film also stars Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, Justin Chatwin, and Tim Robbins.

Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures present an Amblin Entertainment/Cruise|Wagner Production, a Steven Spielberg film, "War of the Worlds." Directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Josh Friedman and David Koepp, based on the novel by H. G. Wells, the film is produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. The executive producer is Paula Wagner. The film also stars Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, Justin Chatwin and Tim Robbins. This film has been rated PG-13 for Frightening Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence and Disturbing Images.

Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom, Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies and a leader in the production, promotion, and distribution of entertainment news, sports and music.

 SOURCE Paramount Pictures

-0- 06/30/2005