The first weekend of 2018 was topped by a holiday holdover, as anticipated. But instead of a particular galaxy far, far away, a group of video game characters looking strangely like Hollywood icons jumped up to the top spot in its' third weekend. That's an unusual and rare achievement (the last time this happened was Inside Out two and a half years ago). Anyway, the remake had a fantastic hold, off just 28% to $36 million, for a fantastic $244.4 million gross in 19 days. Did anyone expect this to be this huge? I don't think so. But Sony I'm betting is incredibly thrilled with this result. Especially with next weekend's extended weekend in play, Jumanji will finish above $300 million stateside, becoming the eighth movie from 2017 to pass that number in the U.S. (and the second from Sony to do so, following Spider-Man: Homecoming). Overseas, it passed the $500 million mark worldwide, and is about to open in China. If its' huge there, the film could manage to flirt with $800 million by the time its' done worldwide. Expect a sequel announcement anytime now.But that wasn't the only fantastic news this weekend. The weekend's lone new release (and the first wide release of 2018) was a smash hit. Universal released Insidious: The Last Key, which pulled in an outstanding $29.3 million (very good $9,392 per-venue average). The fourth installment in the Insidious franchise doubled expectations and opened well ahead of 2015's Chapter 3 ($22 million). The first weekend of January has proven to be a good time to release a horror flick, as Last Key came surprisingly close to 2012's The Devil Inside ($33.7 million). Reviews weren't great (27% on Rotten Tomatoes), but the CinemaScore was a "B-", which is above-average for horror flicks. On a budget of just $10 million, the film is 2018's first big success story.
After three weekends on top, Star Wars: The Last Jedi fell to third place and was down 55% to $23.6 million. But, the middle installment in the current trilogy continues to do strong business, with a huge $572.5 million gross in 24 days. That ranks already as the sixth-biggest movie of all-time in the U.S., and it might pass $600 million stateside by next Monday. In a disappointing bit of news, Last Jedi opened to somewhat weak numbers in China. But, its' already at $1.2 billion worldwide, on its way to a maybe $1.4 billion finish. That would give it #7 or #8 on the all-time list worldwide.
In a surprising twist of sorts, The Greatest Showman had the best hold of all declining holdovers. The musical was off just 11% in its third weekend of play to $13.8 million, for a decent $75.9 million gross in 19 days. The Hugh Jackman flick is benefiting from strong word-of-mouth, and with the extended weekend likely to bring out families, it now looks like it will reach $100 million before its' done. Pitch Perfect 3 didn't hold quite as well, but didn't hold bad either with a 39% dip to $10.2 million. The Bellas finale is at $86 million in 17 days, and looks like it will also pass $100 million stateside. Ferdinand had a very good hold coming off of winter break, down 32% to $7.7 million, for a $70.5 million gross in 24 days. It's starting to play better overseas, with the worldwide total approaching $200 million. Next weekend will bring competition, however, from Paddington 2.
Expanding nationwide and up for a few Golden Globes tonight, Molly's Game did fairly decently. The Jessica Chastain film earned $7 million ($4,353 per-venue average), for a $14.2 million gross since its' limited release last week. If it earns some awards attention, it could play well the next few weeks. Also looking for a possible win for star Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour expanded to 1,700 locations, but was up a much more modest 16% to $6.4 million. The Winston Churchill biopic, however, has pulled in a solid $28.4 million since its' limited debut seven weeks ago.
Pixar's Coco continued to play, off just 26% in its seventh frame to $5.5 million, for a very strong $192.1 million gross in 49 days. It will likely pass $200 million around MLK Day, and its' also about to pass $600 million worldwide. All the Money in the World rounded out the Top 10, with a mild 36% drop to $3.6 million. The crime drama, up for a few Golden Globes this evening also, has earned $20.1 million in 14 days. However, that doesn't look good in the face of a $50 million budget.
That's about it. Next weekend will bring four new releases for the Martin Luther King, Jr. four-day weekend. All four look to pull in a strong audience. Taraji P. Henson headlines action flick Proud Mary, Liam Neeson headlines The Commuter, families look to flock to Paddington 2, and Oscar contender and Steven Spielberg's latest The Post expands nationwide. We shall see what happens. Predictions post coming Thursday.
