The big question right now is how Last Jedi will play? Force Awakens had strong legs, on its way to becoming the highest-grossing movie of all-time in the United States (at $932 million unadjusted). Last Jedi received an "A" CinemaScore, but the Rotten Tomatoes' audience score is an alarmingly low 55% (tied with the infamous, generally-disliked Episodes I and II, though this is said to be a result of a hack). Ultimately, it's likely Last Jedi will be above $500 million by New Year's, and could find its way past $700 million if word-of-mouth is solid. That being said, with overseas grosses likely to add at least $700 million more, Last Jedi could be looking at a worldwide final gross of around $1.5 billion, ranking in the Top 5 biggest movies ever worldwide.
Meanwhile, in second place, Fox (which ironically is merging with Star Wars' owner Disney) tried to open another family film against the Jedi and lightsabers. And they didn't exactly succeed. Blue Sky Studios' book adaptation Ferdinand only managed to earn $13.4 million in a way distant second place ($3,701 per-venue average). On a budget of $111 million, this normally would spell disaster. However, family films usually play very well over the holiday season, on their way to a gross 6-7 times its' opening weekend. For example, Yogi Bear opened to $16 million on its way to a $100 million finish. In that case, with positive reviews (73% on Rotten Tomatoes), don't be surprised if Ferdinand catches on better over the next couple of weeks.The strong competition for kids and teens caused trouble for holdovers, even Disney/Pixar's Coco, which slid to third place after three weeks at #1. Pixar's latest animated hit was off 46% in its fourth frame to $9.9 million, for a very good $150.7 million pick-up in 26 days. The Christmas season should allow it to pass $200 million stateside. Overseas, it continues to play well with $450 million worldwide so far.
Holding strong against Star Wars was another book adaptation, Wonder. The critically-adored family flick was off a light 38% in its fifth weekend to $5.2 million, for a very good $109.1 million pick-up in one month of release. On the other hand, Justice League was down an expected 55% to $4.3 million in fifth place. The superhero team-up is at $219.6 million in one month of release, just shy of what The Last Jedi earned in its opening weekend. The story looks better overseas, with the worldwide gross starting to approach $650 million. But its' nowhere near the success Warner Bros. was hoping for.
Continuing to show strong holding power was Daddy's Home 2. The Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg comedy sequel had the best hold of the Top 10, off just 36% to $3.8 million. The sequel is at a solid $96.6 million in six weeks of release. With Christmas likely to boost it, look for a final gross around $110 million or slightly higher. On the other end of the spectrum, Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok fell an expected 50% thanks to losing screens to fellow Disney movie The Last Jedi. Earning $3.1 million, Ragnarok has earned a spectacular $306.5 million in seven weeks of release, and nearly $850 million worldwide.
After a very good expansion last week, The Disaster Artist surprisingly is turning out to be front-loaded. The James Franco-directed production was down 57% to $2.7 million, for a meh $13 million gross since its limited debut three weeks ago. It will try to scratch and claw to $20 million by the time its done. Murder on the Orient Express is nearing the end of its run, off 51% in its sixth weekend to $2.5 million. The Agatha Christie remake is at $97.3 million so far, and will probably earn another $10 million more before its' done. But the mystery is actually doing very well overseas, with the worldwide gross about to pass $300 million (against a $55 million budget).
Rounding out the Top 10 in its seventh weekend was the indie flick Lady Bird, which was off 39% to $2.1 million. Saorise Ronan's coming-of-age story has earned $26 million in 49 days so far.
That's about it. Next weekend, an avalanche of wide releases comes to town. How will they fare? I will have a post up on Thursday with box office predictions.
