In the end, it was Katniss on top again as The Hunger Games - Mockingjay: Part II wound up in first place for the fourth-straight weekend (by default). The final installment in the trilogy was off 40% to $11.3 million, for a solid $244.5 million gross in 24 days. In comparison, Part I was down 42% in its fourth weekend to $12.4 million, and earned $32 million more through the same point. Part II also had a stronger hold than Catching Fire, which was off 48% in its fourth frame to $13.5 million. With Star Wars coming round the bend, Katniss is about to take a major hit. However, being in first place this long, its still very likely the movie will continue to draw audiences through New Year's, like its two predecessors. At this point, it will depend on how it holds in the face of Star Wars in order to determine whether or not it will hit $300 million domestic. Worldwide, its approaching $600 million.
Meanwhile, after a nine-month delay and a troublesome release date, Warner Bros. and Ron Howard got distressing news this weekend for their seafare epic In the Heart of the Sea, which opened below expectations and in second place. The heavily-marketed flick opened to $11 million (which includes IMAX and IMAX 3D boosts in tickets, $3,547 per-venue average), whereas expectations had pegged a start around $15 million or more. In comparison, Exodus: Gods and Kings opened to over twice that amount ($24 million). The second weekend of December is turning into a difficult time to release a film, as families wait for Christmas break and audiences usually come out over Christmas or Thanksgiving. Sea, in its defense, did carry a smaller budget ($100 million vs. $140 million), better reviews (43% vs 29% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a better CinemaScore (B+ vs. B-) than Exodus, but that still doesn't help matters overall. Overseas, it got off to a rocky start ($19 million from 38 territories). Some of its audience will be stolen by Star Wars next weekend and with several new releases opening Christmas Day, it will be difficult for it to remain relevant. It could hold well over the holidays, but its early to say for sure.After dropping hard last weekend, The Good Dinosaur finally got a strong hold, off just 31% in its third frame to $10.5 million, In 19 days, Pixar's latest has earned a mediocre $89.7 million. With fellow Disney release Star Wars and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip both opening Friday, it may be difficult for Dinosaur to bring in sizable business over Christmas break (though double-features with Star Wars would help). Its at almost $170 million worldwide so far.
Right behind Pixar is Sylvester Stallone as Creed continued to play strong. The Rocky successor was off just 33% in its third frame to $10.1 million, for a very solid $79.3 million in 19 days. Creed earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Stallone) and, with Christmas break sure to boost most films, should find its way to over $100 million stateside.
Following its rock-solid debut last week, Krampus had an above-average hold for a horror flick, thanks to strong Saturday and Sunday business and the holiday theme. The horror holiday comedy was off 51% to $8 million, for a decent $28.2 million gross in 10 days. Look for the decently-reviewed flick to finish around $45 million, if not more if Christmas' approach perks it up more.
Spectre stabilized, off 28% to $4 million, for a very solid $190.8 million gross in 37 days, to go with $820 million worldwide. James Bond's latest currently ranks as the sixth-biggest movie of 2015 worldwide. The Night Before remained in the mix thanks to its holiday theme, off just 23% to $3.9 million, for a decent $38.2 million in 24 days. Seth Rogen's R-rated holiday comedy could crawl to $50 million if it gets a Christmas boost.
Finally getting a strong hold, The Peanuts Movie was off just 26% to $2.7 million, for a $125 million gross in 37 days. However, the hold may have come too late, as fellow Fox movie Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Road Chip is just around the corner to steal its screens. Multi-Golden Globe nominee Spotlight benefited from its awards season buzz, and was off just 10% to $2.5 million, for a solid $20.3 million pick-up since its limited start six weeks ago.
Rounding out the Top 10 is Brooklyn, which earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress (Saorise Ronan). The romance was off 19% to $2 million, for a decent $14.3 million pick-up since its limited start six weeks ago.
And that's it. Next weekend, the Force is finally back in theaters as the hotly-anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens bent on destroying Jurassic World's $208 million opening weekend record. Can it succeed in a month which the biggest opening in the month's history was $84 million? Also opening and hoping to get a boost from the Force are fourquel Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip and Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's comedy Sisters. Meanwhile, all holdovers will be ducking for cover. Its' sure to be an exciting weekend, and I will be covering Star Wars' updates all weekend starting Thursday. Stay tuned!!
