As expected, the web-slinger captured the top spot. And for the fourth time in the last five weeks, an animated film topped the box office. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse matched analysts' expectations, with $35.4 million in its debut (solid $9,284 per-venue average). If that holds, that will edge out Sing ($35.2 million 3-day) for the biggest opening for an animated film in the month of December. Considering the strong buzz, one might would think this should have done more. However, it is important to note movies usually don't open huge in December. They tend to repeat the same business for the next two or three weeks with kids and college students on break. I should note that Jumanji had a $35 million opening weekend last year on its way to playing through February and over $400 million domestic. While I don't think Spider-Man will replicate that same performance, it should benefit from strong audience word-of-mouth (it earned a rare "A+" CinemaScore) and winter break. Sony predicted a $30 million launch, and they produced the film for $90 million.
Meanwhile, 88 years young Clint Eastwood enjoyed a solid opening in second with his latest drama, The Mule. In a film he both directs, produces and stars in, the Warner Bros. release earned $17.2 million (solid $6,650 per-venue average). The studio was smart to release the movie here, as it's proving to be a strong case of adult counter-programming to all the big-budget options. For Eastwood's acting career, this is his third-biggest debut behind Space Cowboys and the nationwide expansion of Gran Torino. While the film is on the outside looking in as far as awards season conversation is concerned, it did earn a very good "A-" CinemaScore. Expect this to be a strong player through the holidays, as older audiences tend to come out more slowly as word-of-mouth spreads. On a $50 million budget, Warner Bros. and other analysts were predicting a debut in the mid-teens millions.Despite added competition from Spider-Man, The Grinch remained a strong draw for families in its' sixth weekend. Thanks to the Christmas theme, Grinch only was off 23% to $11.6 million, for a strong $239.3 million pick-up in 37 days. And that's against just a $75 million budget! With at least one more week to go until the titular holiday, Grinch should continue raking in the green.
After three weeks on top, Ralph Breaks the Internet slipped 41% to fourth place and $9.6 million. That's a decent hold in the face of new animated competition, but Ralph does seem to be eroding faster than usual for a Disney movie (probably due to the competition). With a solid $154.5 million in 26 days, it should have enough momentum over holiday break to make it past $200 million.
Meanwhile, Universal and Peter Jackson hit a major stumbling block this weekend with Mortal Engines. The book adaptation failed to bring in any real audience, earning a weak $7.5 million (horrible $2,417 per-venue average). YA adaptations are pretty much past their prime at this point, but I question why Universal scheduled this a week before Aquaman and Bumblebee. They must have known this might not work. Overseas, its' also struggling, with just $35 million so far. Against a $100 million production budget (I've heard its higher), this is going to be one of the year's biggest flops. Universal and analysts were thinking $10-13 million for its debut, and audiences gave it a mixed "B-" CinemaScore.Creed II continued powering along, while falling a bit faster than its predecessor. The sequel was off 46% to $5.4 million, for a very good $104.9 million gross in 27 days. The sequel will pass the first Creed's $109 million final gross by the end of this week. Meanwhile, Bohemian Rhapsody is continuing its' strong run, off only 33% in its seventh week of release. The Freddie Mercury biopic pulled in $4.1 million, for a strong $180.4 million gross in 49 days. The musical dramedy could push for $200 million if it can hang onto its screens through the holidays. It's a blockbuster worldwide, with $635 million so far and still moving.
Instant Family continued leveling off at a solid pace, off 35% in its fifth frame to $3.7 million. With $60.2 million in one month of release, the Mark Wahlberg comedy will end up a decent success for Paramount. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, in the meantime, was down 48% in its fifth frame to $3.65 million. The sequel has earned a moderate $151.7 million, and will likely lose a lot of screens next weekend. Thankfully for Warner Bros., its' about to pass $600 million worldwide.
Rounding out the Top 10 is Green Book, which was off just 29% in its fifth weekend to $2.8 million. The possible Oscar contender is at $24.7 million in a month of play as it tries to push past $30 million through awards season.
Meanwhile, a PG-13 re-release of Deadpool 2, Once Upon a Deadpool, didn't bring in much interest. The re-release pulled in $2.6 million in 11th place over the weekend proper, for a $3.9 million pick-up since its Wednesday start. In just 1,566 theaters, the re-release was never expected to pull in strong business especially considering the R-rated version is already on DVD and the competition from comic book heavyweights Spider-Man and Aquaman.
And that's about it. Next weekend, things get real interesting as the Christmas stretch heats up. Mary Poppins Returns, the anticipated Disney sequel, opens Wednesday, while Aquaman and Bumblebee look to bring in crowds starting Friday. Friday also has two more minor releases, Jennifer Lopez's latest Second Act, and Robert Zemeckis and Steve Carell's Welcome to Marwen. It's sure to be an interesting frame. I will have a predictions report on Wednesday. :)
