As everyone expected, Disney Animation dominated with their sequel Ralph Breaks the Internet. 6 years after the first Wreck-it Ralph did solid business, the sequel built on that success with a strong $56.2 million over the three-day stretch (fantastic $14,000 per-venue average), for a five-day launch of $84.8 million. Disney, in comparison, was expecting a 5-day launch in the upper-60's millions. For five-day Thanksgiving weekends, Ralph edged out fellow Disney movie Moana ($82.1 million) for second place on the all-time list behind Frozen ($93.6 million). The film was more front-loaded than usual for a Thanksgiving opener, though being a sequel, that shouldn't be a surprise (the three-day weekend ranks fourth for Thanksgiving behind Frozen, Moana and Toy Story 2). Altogether, this shows how Disney can bring in a huge audience for any familiar property. Audiences gave this sequel a solid "A-" CinemaScore. While not as strong of a grade as some of their previous efforts, it's still good enough that it should help it play well through the holidays. The budget was $175 million.Overseas, Ralph Breaks the Internet is tracking three times as much as what Wreck it Ralph earned in its international debut, with $42 million from 33 territories (this does include China). In the end, this should easily shoot ahead of the first film's $475 million worldwide final gross. I think a final gross in the $600-700 million range could be achievable if it keeps up the momentum.
Meanwhile, another sequel enjoyed a fantastic debut on its own also. Three years after its predecessor made waves, Creed II also jumped up from what came before. The boxing sequel pulled in a strong $35.6 million in its debut (great $10,334 per-venue average), for a $56 million 5-day debut. For the 5-day start, Creed ranks seventh all-time for Thanksgiving just ahead of The Good Dinosaur ($55.8 million). Ahead of most expectations which forecasted a 5-day launch anywhere between $40 and $50 million, this proves the popularity of the Creed and Rocky franchises. Earning an "A" CinemaScore, this movie should find some very solid legs in the weeks ahead. Produced on a $50 million budget by distributor MGM, this should be a solid-sized hit for all involved.Edging out major competition and holding exceptionally well in third place was another animated title, The Grinch. The Dr. Seuss adaptation slipped just 21% in its third frame to $30.4 million, for a very strong $180.5 million gross in 17 days. Grinch should be one of the stronger holdovers in the coming weeks thanks to the Christmas theme, and will easily pass the $215 million final gross of previous Seuss film, The Lorax. As for overseas, its' relatively quiet so far with $36 million earned so far. Thankfully it has a small budget.
As for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, it didn't hold nearly as well as its predecessor. The second installment in J.K. Rowling's prequel series fell 53% in its sophomore frame to $29.4 million, for a modest $116.6 million pick-up in 10 days. In comparison, the first Fantastic Beasts was down just 39% in its sophomore frame, and had earned $40 million more through the same point. Grindelwald isn't benefiting from word-of-mouth whatsoever here, and will probably not reach the double-century mark like its predecessor did. Instead, its' relying on overseas numbers to get it into the black. So far, the strategy is working, with the worldwide gross at $440 million in two weeks with probably quite a bit to go.
Bohemian Rhapsody continued to play well, off 13% over the weekend to $14 million, for a very strong $152.2 million gross in 24 days. It's especially huge overseas, with the worldwide gross already at $470 million and counting. Distributor Fox definitely needed the huge win. Meanwhile, Instant Family enjoyed a strong hold over the three-day weekend as well. Off only 15% to $12.3 million, the Mark Wahlberg dramedy is at $35.6 million in 10 days. Against a $48 million budget, the PG-13 flick hopes to continue to have a slow burn in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, it appeared audiences weren't really interested in a new version of Robin Hood. The 2018 remake pulled in a weak $9.2 million in seventh place (modest $3,253 per-venue average), for a $14.3 million five-day pick-up. While slightly ahead of what some were thinking, its' still a weak result considering the $100 million production budget. Distributor Lionsgate also marketed the heck out of the flick, so expenses there won't help matters either. Overseas numbers aren't strong either, with less than $10 million picked up so far. Audiences gave the film a so-so "B" CinemaScore, which doesn't point to longevity here in theaters either. Lionsgate was hoping for a debut in the mid-to-high teens millions.Down 33% in its sophomore frame was the potential awards contender Widows. Steve McQueen's latest earned $8.2 million, and is at $25.9 million in 10 days. Distributor Fox can only hope this will hold onto screens and continue spreading buzz until awards season conversation comes into play later next month. Meanwhile, it had to fend off competition from another possible awards contender, Green Book. The historical drama came in higher than anticipated with $5.5 million in ninth place (decent $5,175 per-venue average ranks in the Top 5 for the weekend). Since its limited launch last week, its' earned $7.9 million, and will hope for awards season to come in to help it further business-wise.
Rounding out the Top 10 in its eighth weekend was the remake of A Star is Born. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper lost about 30% of business this weekend to $3 million. However, the remake continues to shine at the box office, with a huge $191 million pick-up in 56 days. There's a good chance at this point that Warner Bros. will try to keep it in theaters long enough to pass the double-century mark (especially with likely awards season attention coming).
And that's about it. Next weekend I will be skipping the box office predictions post, as there's nothing really opening (horror flick The Possession of Hannah Grace debuts in semi-wide release, and will probably make less than $5 million in its debut). But look for the next box office report post next Sunday. Hope all has a great week! :)
