As what many were expecting, DC's seemingly highly-anticipated superhero team-up topped the box office. But Justice League failed to really ignite the box office, pulling in just $94 million from 4,051 locations ($23,204 per-venue average). That's way behind expectations, which forecasted a debut between $110 and $130 million (I was way too optimistic). Some may ask, what happened? But, there are a few reasons as to why this didn't stick a strong opening. One, audience reception to Batman v. Superman was relatively divided, especially over the depiction of Batman and Superman altogether. Those that were turned off by that movie were likely chased away from this one. Secondly, there's been too many superhero movies this year. Especially after the strong reception of Thor: Ragnarok, not everyone was interested in seeing a second one in just three weeks. Finally, reviews for this one, while better than BvS and Suicide Squad, still leaned negative (40% on Rotten Tomatoes despite a "B+" CinemaScore). The opening even came in about $10 million short of earlier this year's Wonder Woman, which legged it out to over $400 million stateside.Overseas, the League did fare much better, pulling in $185 million from 65 markets, bringing the movie to a $279 million worldwide launch. While respectable, it doesn't reach the best overseas openings of all-time. Looking at the road ahead, Disney/Pixar's Coco will steal the family portion of the audience over Thanksgiving, but not much else will be out until Star Wars: The Last Jedi on December 15. Altogether, with better reception all around, Justice League could certainly have better staying power than BvS (which fell short of two times its' opening weekend). But, on a budget that was reported to be $300 million (with reshoots included), its going to need all the strength and legs it can get to try to break even.
Following two weekends on top, Thor: Ragnarok felt the brunt of Justice League, down 62% to $21.7 million in its' third weekend. That kind of drop might seem severe, but it's not uncommon for a blockbuster's third weekend competing against another heavy hitter just opening. Ragnarok is still doing fantastic business, with $247.3 million in 17 days, and a worldwide gross that's approaching $750 million.
Last weekend's two openers also didn't really hold together all that well. Daddy's Home 2 was down 51% to $14.4 million, for a decent $50.2 million gross in 10 days. Thanksgiving should help it, but $100 million might be out of the equation here. Daddy's Home 2 looks set to finish well below its predecessor's $155 million stateside. Meanwhile, Murder on the Orient Express fell 52% to $13.8 million, for a similar $51.7 million in the same amount of time. The mystery remake has earned $150 million worldwide so far.
Continuing to benefit from the holidays, A Bad Moms Christmas was off just 39% in its third weekend to $7 million. The comedy has earned a decent $51 million in 17 days and should have a strong hold over Thanksgiving. Expanding to 238 locations, Lady Bird jumped up to eighth place in its third weekend of limited/expanding release. The Saorise Ronan dramedy pulled in $2.5 million, for a decent $4.7 million in 17 days, and looks to expand again over Thanksgiving.
Another limited release followed in ninth place. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri earned an outstanding $1.1 million from just 53 theaters (the $20,796 per-venue average ranks second for the weekend). The well-received film should continue to expand more in coming weeks. Rounding out the Top 10 is the last remaining fall leftover, horror reboot Jigsaw. The film plummeted 68% to $1.08 million, for an OK $36.5 million gross in 24 days.
And that's about it. Next weekend is Thanksgiving weekend, which should be very interesting and exciting to track in the process. :) Look for a predictions post tomorrow night.
