Key Takeaways:
– Sony’s ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ dominated the box office for the third week running, earning $16.2 million domestically.
– Despite post-election reservations, A24’s indie horror ‘Heretic’ and Lionsgate’s ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ both had successful nationwide openings.
– Heretic’s debut marks Hugh Grant’s best opening in over two decades.
– ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ played best in conservative states and acquires a perfect A CinemaScore.
Venom Holds onto the Top Spot
Lucky for Sony, their latest offering, ‘Venom: The Last Dance’, managed to hold onto the top spot in the U.S. box office charts for its third weekend. The film raked in an impressive $16.2 million from 3,905 cinemas. Its overall domestic count stands at a whopping $114.8 million. Globally, with an important contribution of $82.8 million from China, the movie has earned an impressive $394.2 million.
Newcomers Take a Chance
Despite post-election worries, two daring newcomers braved the odds and decided to open nationwide. These were the indie horror flick ‘Heretic’ from A24 and ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ from Lionsgate, which had a faith-tinged narrative. ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ reports an estimated total of $11.1 million from 3,020 theaters while ‘Heretic’ sits just behind, reporting an estimated $11 million from its 3,221 cinemas.
The Controversial Pageant
‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ seems to have the upper hand. The well-received adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s 1972 children’s book was under the steerage of ‘The Chosen’ filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. The story, about six unruly siblings, stars Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, and Lauren Graham. It was most popular in conservative states and gained a perfect A CinemaScore.
Into the Heretic’s Lair
‘Heretic’ launched nationwide, brushing aside post-election concerns. The movie is a huge hit, marking Hugh Grant’s most substantial opening as the leading man in over 20 years. Favorable reviews and a large turnout among young adults (18-35 years, accounting for 67% of ticket buyers), boosted its success. However, the film, which follows two young Morman missionaries, received a C+ CinemaScore, not surprising for a movie in the horror genre.
More Box Office News
‘The Wild Robot’ secured the fourth spot on its second weekend with $6.7 million from 3,051 locations. Its nationwide total lies at $130.9 million and $292 million globally. Paramount’s ‘Smile 2’ followed, earning $5 million from 2,822 cinemas with a domestic total of $60.5 million and $123.6 worldwide.
A standout movie, ‘Conclave’, continued its fine run at the box office, earning $4.1 million in its third weekend, taking its domestic total to $21.5 million.
‘Anora’ is also a notable film, earning $2.5 as it increased its theater count from 851 to 1,104 cinemas. Domestically, it has accumulated $7.2 million. Universal International, handling the film overseas, reported an early foreign total of $5 million.
There you have it! That wraps it up for this week’s box office news. With some excellent movies making waves and even breaking records, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Who knows what next week will bring? We can’t wait to find out!
