As what many expected, the Force remained large and in charge in its second weekend, though it didn't quite hold together nearly as well as The Force Awakens. Over the three-day weekend, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was down 59% to $64.4 million, for a still amazing $286.4 million gross in 10 days. Obviously Christmas Eve being on Saturday (one of the weakest days for moviegoing) didn't help matters, and there's a strong chance this will pull in bigger business over Christmas break this week (Monday in particular is a strong day at the box office, and estimates are already out, but I'm just covering the weekend). Overseas, Rogue One has already passed $500 million worldwide in just two weeks ($555 million so far with China yet to open). Right now, it's a little early to tell if it will hit $1 billion or not.
Meanwhile, Universal and Illumination Entertainment scored yet another win this weekend with the animated musical Sing. The star-studded cartoon pulled in $35.3 million over Christmas weekend, and has pulled in $56 million since its Wednesday start. That start is comparable to last year's Daddy's Home, which opened to similar numbers over Christmas weekend last year on its way to a $150 million domestic gross. Though that one was a raunchier PG-13, this one will play more to families and kids and pull in huge business this coming week. Even better news, Illumination continues to keep these movies at cheap prices, with the budget being just $75 million. Reviews were solid (72% on Rotten Tomatoes), while the CinemaScore was a strong "A". I saw Sing last week and am hoping to post a review later today.
Opening at #3 with middling results was Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence's sci-fi romance, Passengers. The book adaptation pulled in $14.9 million over the weekend, and $22.2 million since its Wednesday start. In comparison, Sony had expected at least $30 million through Monday (which it is projected to barely scrape if actuals are correct). Considering the starpower involved, one might would have guessed this to do better. But reviews were not good (32% on Rotten Tomatoes, "B" CinemaScore) and hurt the overall chances of breaking out. Plus, Rogue One is already taking a lot of sci-fi fans' money. There are a couple of things working in the movie's favor, it is projected to have a strong 160% jump on Christmas Day, and jump again on Monday. Perhaps it will find stronger footing over break. But again, reception is lukewarm to this sci-fi fable. The budget here was $110 million.
Fox brought up the rear with their two releases this weekend. Faring the best of the two was their Friday release, comedy Why Him? The R-rated effort starring James Franco and Bryan Cranston opened in line with expectations, with $11.1 million over the three-day weekend. That's not a fantastic number by all means, but on a $38 million budget and Christmas break coming up, it's certainly not a stinker by all means. We will see how it plays in the coming days. The comedy received mixed-to-negative reception (41% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a solid "B+" CinemaScore. Fox was projecting a $15 million 4-day start (which it is estimated to match that).
That leaves video game adaptation Assassin's Creed in fifth place. Over the weekend, the Michael Fassbender flick pulled in $10.3 million over the holiday weekend, and $17.8 million since its Wednesday start. Many had anticipated perhaps a $30 million gross through Monday, but alas, video game adaptations have yet to really strike a chord at the box office. Creed opened lower than Warcraft ($24.2 million opening weekend), and didn't even come close to the record-holder, Pokemon: The First Movie ($31 million 3-day). Despite a strong marketing effort, the reviews were dismal (20% on Rotten Tomatoes), though audience reception was better (B+ CinemaScore). Fox produced the film for $125 million, and it got off to a $15 million start overseas, where it probably will have to rely on to break even.Disney Animation's Moana remained in the mix, though it did take an understandable 42% dip in the face of Sing. The musical powerhouse pulled in $7.4 million, for a strong $180.4 million gross in one month of release. Look for Moana to pass $200 million by the end of Christmas break, and it has earned $330 million worldwide so far with much more to go.
After a solid start in limited release, potential awards season contender Fences got off to a strong start after expanding to 2,200 locations on Christmas Day, earning $6.6 million on the day alone. Denzel Washington's directorial debut has earned $6.9 million since its limited debut 10 days ago. With Christmas break and awards season coming up, do not be surprised if this breaks out further in the coming weeks. The budget was $24 million and reviews are at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.Another major awards season contender, La La Land, expanded on Christmas day to 700 locations with rewarding results. Including Friday and Saturday from 200 locations, the musical extravaganza (3rd musical in the Top 10) pulled in $5.7 million over the weekend, for a $13.6 million gross since its limited debut 17 days ago. Look for Damien Chazelle's critically-adored production to expand further as awards season approaches.
Office Christmas Party had likely its last hurrah this weekend as Christmas Day was on Sunday. The R-rated comedy was off 40% in the face of Why Him? to $5.1 million, for a decent $42.2 million gross in 17 days. The final gross should get just above $50 million. Rounding out the Top 10 is Collateral Beauty, which is getting lost in the shuffle with a 40% drop to $4.3 million, and a mediocre $15.3 million pick-up in 10 days. Even with Christmas break, it may be a challenge for it to reach its $36 million budget stateside.
That's about it. Next weekend will be the last weekend report (for a while...look at the side of the blog for more information). In the meantime, look for a review for Sing later today. :) All films should tick up next weekend for New Year's, shouldn't they? We shall see.
