<b><i>300</i></b> Becomes the Third R-rated Blockbuster

Leslie Cheung over 17 years ago

Originally a comic book story by Frank Miller about the ancient battle of Thermopylae, it became 2007's first certified blockbuster as the action tale 300 debuted with ticket sales of US$70 million over its opening weekend, according to studio estimates.

Heavy on violence, the movie received an R rating, normally a damper on a film's blockbuster potential, but instead 300 became the third-best debut ever for an R-rated movie, behind The Matrix Reloaded at US$91.8 million and The Passion Of The Christ at US$83.8 million.