Overall business, as expected, was down 32% from this same weekend last year, which netted record numbers thanks to the shattering debut of Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($248 million).

The Christmas season will keep it holding stronger than normal for a tentpole action flick. The Force Awakens went on to earn a jaw-dropping $935 million stateside. I don't know how this one will hold in comparison, but I certainly think it might pass Finding Dory's $485 million domestic final gross to become the year's biggest movie domestically. This opening is the icing on the cake in what has been a record year for distributor Disney, who passed a record $7 billion earned worldwide this year.
Overseas, Rogue One pulled in $135.5 million from most overseas territories (China will open January 6), for a $290 million worldwide launch. That's on the low end of expectations, but considering that the Star Wars movies aren't actually as popular overseas as other franchises, it's still a major debut by all means. The worldwide gross could leg it out to $1 billion, but even if it falls short, it will still be a major win by all means.
Disney also took second place this weekend with their animated hit Moana. After topping the chart for three straight weeks, the island musical held up very well against a blockbuster newbie, off just 31% to $12.7 million, for a strong $162.9 million pick-up in 26 days. Sing opens as direct competition on Wednesday, but this should still remain a viable option through the Christmas season. The worldwide gross is about to pass $300 million. Office Christmas Party followed, and didn't manage to hold on well as most males were distracted by Star Wars. The R-rated holiday bash was down 49% to $8.6 million, and has pulled in a mild $31.7 million pick-up in 10 days.

In the direct face of Star Wars, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was off 51% to $5.1 million. The Harry Potter prequel is at a solid $207.7 million in one month of release, and is at a huge $720 million worldwide with still a little more to go. Expanding to 1,200 locations, possible Oscar contender Manchester by the Sea jumped up to sixth place, and earned $4.2 million ($3,513 per-venue average). The Casey Affleck film and the first major theatrical release for website giant Amazon has earned $14.1 million since its limited debut one month ago.

With another sci-fi film in the marketplace plus two other major awards contenders in the Top 10, Arrival had its biggest drop yet, off 47% to $3 million. The Amy Adams thriller has still pulled in a very good $86.7 million in six weeks of release. Doctor Strange remained in the list for a seventh (and likely final) weekend, and was off 51% to $2.2 million in the face of fellow Disney release Rogue One. Marvel's latest hit is at a very good $226.3 million so far, and $650 million worldwide.
Another awards season player is also in the Top 10, as Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals was off 56% to $1.41 million, for a decent $8.8 million in 24 days. It narrowly beat out DreamWorks Animation's Trolls for tenth place, which was down 55% to $1.38 million, for a $147.4 million pick-up in seven weeks.
That's it for this week. I will have a review up for Rogue One tomorrow or Thursday, and next weekend is sure to be a crowded one. Universal and Illumination Entertainment's latest possible smash Sing looks to try and challenge the Force for the top spot over Christmas weekend. Also opening are video game adaptation Assassin's Creed, James Franco comedy Why Him? and Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence's sci-fi romance Passengers. Finally, La La Land and Denzel Washington's Fences expand nationwide. It's sure to be a crowded week, and I will have more on it later. We shall see what happens.