It was pretty close, but in the end, Disney Animation eked out another victory this weekend for their Polynesian musical, Moana. The critically-adored flick was off just 33% from last weekend to $18.8 million, for a very strong $145 million pick-up in 19 days. In addition to that, it has picked up another $93 million overseas so far, for an early $235 million worldwide gross (and much more to go). The third weekend hold is in line with Tangled (34%) and is a little bit heavier than Frozen (29%). In the meantime, the film continues to run in between those two films' numbers (Frozen had $165 million through the same point while Tangled had $115 million through the same point). Next weekend will bring Rogue One, but double-features with the Lucasfilm blockbuster might help Moana keep holding well.Opening in a close second with stronger-than-anticipated results was the raunchy comedy, Office Christmas Party. The ensemble film earned $17.5 million, for a decent $5,452 per-venue average from 3,210 locations. That was ahead of expectations, which had the film at $15 million in most forecasts, and is also ahead of Almost Christmas' $15 million debut from last month. Critical reception was mixed-to-negative (43% on Rotten Tomatoes), while audiences gave it a "B" CinemaScore. The holiday theme should keep it playing through New Year's, and with a $45 million budget, it's clear this needed a good start in order to give it a chance to earn profit for distributor Paramount (who has had a difficult year this year).
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them slipped to third place as it prepares for Star Wars. The Harry Potter prequel had a decent hold in its fourth frame, off 41% to $10.8 million, for a very solid $199.3 million pick-up in 24 days. The prequel continues to hold better than Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I, which was down 50% (and had a lower weekend gross) at the same point. Overseas, however, is where the film is really a huge hit, with the worldwide gross about to pass $700 million.
Arrival continues to show strong holding power, off just 23% in its fifth weekend to $5.6 million, for a very good $81.5 million with still some gas in the tank. Doctor Strange remained a strong player in its sixth weekend, holding onto fifth place. Marvel's latest was down a light 31% as it's about to shed screens for fellow Disney release Rogue One. It is at a strong $222.4 million gross in 37 days, and is about to pass $650 million worldwide. Allied was off 43% in its third weekend to $4 million. The Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard romance thriller has earned a mild $35.6 million in 19 days, on its way to a finish just under $50 million.
Expanding to over 1,000 locations, possible awards season contender Nocturnal Animals got into the list but didn't strike much of a chord with audiences, pulling in $3.2 million ($2,531 per-venue average). Amy Adams now has two movies in the Top 10 as this looks to expand further in the coming weeks. Another limited release expanding, Manchester by the Sea, fared a lot better, pulling in $3.15 million from just 366 locations ($8,621 per-venue average). Both have been in theaters for four weeks, and their grosses currently stand at $6.2 million and $8.3 million, respectively.
Trolls continued to level off slowly, off just 34% to $3.1 million (in a virtual three-way tie for seventh place, order could change tomorrow). The musical is at a solid $145.5 million in 37 days, and passed the final domestic gross of Kung Fu Panda 3 ($143 million) over the weekend. It's at $330 million worldwide so far. Rounding out the Top 10 was Hacksaw Ridge, which was down just 31% to $2.3 million in its sixth weekend, for a very good $60.9 million pick-up in the same amount of time.
Finally, Jessica Chastain's political thriller Miss Sloane expanded to mediocre results, $1.9 million (11th place) from 1,648 locations ($1,153 per-venue average). Mixed reviews (62% on Rotten Tomatoes) and little anticipation from audiences didn't help matters here either. It's at just $2 million in 17 days, and with not much Oscar buzz, it's likely this will fade fast.
That's about it. Next weekend, fans of the Force will rush out to see spin-off Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, though the standalone film won't pack nearly as much of a punch as the record-shattering run of The Force Awakens last year. Will Smith also opens Collateral Beauty next weekend in an attempt to counter-program. It should be a strong weekend, even if it doesn't hold a candle to the heights of the same weekend last year, which pulled in a record $330 million. Again, stay tuned!
