However, on the very positive side, Disney finally got a major win out of a Fox release. Action biopic Ford v Ferrari came in ahead of most expectations, with a solid $31 million launch (solid $8,797 per-venue average). In comparison, Disney expected high-teens and many analysts thought $20-25 million. But, for original films, this definitely counts as a major win. Matt Damon and Christian Bale definitely pulled in some crowds, and the car racing factor played a big part in drawing in older males. Overall reception for the potential Oscar contender was strong, with a rare "A+" CinemaScore. This could set it up for a strong run into the rest of the holiday season, especially with there being little to no competition for older audiences. On a budget of $97 million, this movie needed an opening like this to be in good shape. Ford also managed to earn $21 million overseas for a $52 million worldwide start.There was pretty much a three-way tie for second place this weekend. For right now, last week's #1, Midway is estimated to take second. Off 51% to $8.8 million, the World War II drama is at $35.1 million in 10 days. That's not a very good number, but it is better than expected (many long-term analysts thought it might would get to $35-40 million for its entire run). It's also not doing great overseas, with just around $20 million earned so far. We will see how it fares through Thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, it appears that Sony's apparent lack of confidence in their Charlie's Angels reboot appeared to be for good reason (who promotes a music video in trailers anymore?), as the film fell far below expectations. Elizabeth Banks' latest pulled in just $8.6 million (weak $2,491 per-venue average). In comparison, Sony and analysts were thinking mid-teens. The truth is, there didn't seem to be much fanfare for this reboot, even with Kristen Stewart leading the charge and Banks as director. And it became clear with the second trailer that not many seemed interested. Overseas, it fared a little better with $19.3 million (including $8 million in China), but its still not a very strong number. Perhaps the best news is that Sony kept this film budgeted at a tight $50 million, so any money lost looks to be minimal by the time things sort out. Audiences gave the film a "B+" CinemaScore.Meanwhile, Playing with Fire got the strong hold that it needed, down just 33% in its second frame to $8.55 million. The Paramount family flick has earned $25.5 million in 10 days, which is better than anyone expected. Next weekend will bring Frozen 2 to compete against, but I think this one should rebound a bit over the extended Thanksgiving holiday.
Not quite playing like a Christmas movie should at this point, Last Christmas was off 41% to $6.7 million, for a modest $22.6 million pick-up in 10 days. However, Thanksgiving weekend coming up should prove to be fruitful for it will hope for date night audiences to catch up with it. At least it can say its playing better than Doctor Sleep, which fell 56% in its sophomore frame to $6.2 million. The surprise disappointment has earned just $25 million in 10 days, and will likely close around $35 million stateside. It's earned $30 million overseas also.
In the meantime, no one really expected much out of the last new release. Despite boasting Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen, The Good Liar opened below expectations in seventh place with a disappointing $5.7 million (weak $2,319 per-venue average). With a small marketing effort, an R rating to scare away more conservative moviegoers, and mixed reception ("B" CinemaScore), there just wasn't a real audience interested. Thankfully for Warner Bros., the budget was a light $10 million, so overall losses will be minimal here.And speaking of Warner Bros., they definitely have something to celebrate this weekend. Joker has been in the Top 10 for seven weeks now, and it continues to hold well. Off 39% to $5.6 million, the film has earned a remarkable $322.6 million in 49 days as it attempts to match Aquaman's $335 million final gross. Even more impressively, it broke the $1 billion mark this weekend (without any help from China), with an amazing $695 million from international territories. In the process, it became the first R-rated movie ever to pass that mark. It also passed The Dark Knight ($1.008 billion) to become DC's second-biggest movie behind Aquaman ($1.148 billion). On a budget that was likely to be around $60 million, this might be the year's most profitable blockbuster.
Disney followed with their sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, which continued to play well. Off 38% to $5.2 million, the Angelina Jolie pic is at $106 million in one month of release, as it will try to reach $120 million stateside (double-features with Frozen will probably get it there). However, the news is far better overseas, with the worldwide gross at $460 million so far with hopes of passing $500 million before its' finished. That would definitely be enough to put it in the black.
Rounding out the Top 10 in its third week is Harriet. The historical drama (which I saw Friday and will have a review up on Tuesday) held well, off 35% to $4.8 million, for a solid $31.9 million gross in 17 days, and should reach $40 million by the time its' finished.
That's about it. Next weekend, Disney will attempt to save the day again with their highly-anticipated sequel to their 2013 blockbuster Frozen. Sony will also be back next weekend in what could be a strong piece of counter-programming with their Mr. Rogers pic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, while STX and the Russo Brothers finally release their Chadwick Boseman flick 21 Bridges. It should be a surprisingly strong weekend that will hope to help the box office out of its' slump. Look for predictions on Thursday. Hope all has a great week! :)
