Overall, its' not surprising which movie opened on top. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker rode buzz to a $175.5 million launch (huge $39,832 per-venue average). That's the third-biggest December launch, and 12th-largest opening weekend ever. However, its' down 20% from The Last Jedi ($220 million) from two years ago, and off 30% from The Force Awakens' then-record $248 million launch, though it is up from Rogue One's $155 million launch from 2016. Fans were divided after Last Jedi, and that was a cause for concern here. But, it's clear here that Star Wars isn't quite growing like the Marvel universe is for Disney (even if Mandalorian is getting strong viewership for Disney+). And that's a problem that Disney is going to try to have to solve, as there's no more Star Wars films hitting theaters until 2022. To be fair, however, Disney was expecting a $160-165 million launch. Of course, school holidays starting up will prove fruitful here, and will determine how high this installment will go. Reviews were mixed, while audiences gave it a "B+" CinemaScore. Solid, but down from both previous installments.Overseas is solid, but again off from past installments. Earning $198 million, its' worldwide launch was at $374 million. Ultimately, Rise of Skywalker seems destined to be the 7th Disney-released film of 2019 to reach the $1 billion mark, but how far it will go beyond that is currently anyone's guess. The budget was between $250 and $300 million, plus much more in marketing, so overall profits will not be massive here.
Following its strong opening last week, Jumanji: The Next Level did fall 56% in the face of strong competition to $26.1 million, for a solid $101.9 million pick-up in 10 days. Of course, all comparisons to its' predecessor aren't apples-to-apples because that movie opened a week later (its second weekend was right after Christmas). So, how close it gets to Welcome to the Jungle will be based primarily on how it plays after the big day later this week. Overseas, its' played well so far with over $210 million picked up so far.
Frozen 2 took third place, and held well against more musical competition. The animated blockbuster was off just 36% to $12.3 million, for a very strong $386.5 million pick-up in one month of release as it will likely pass its' predecessor by the end of this week. Its' also earned $1.1 billion worldwide with the heart of Christmas break to come.
Coming off of audience backlash and mixed buzz, audiences didn't show much interest in a film version of Andrew Lloyd Weber's classic Cats. The family film earned a weak $6.5 million (weak $1,923 per-venue average), way behind the $10-12 million expected by Universal and analysts. This film caused the studio a lot of anxiety heading into release, as director Tom Hooper reportedly spent 36 hours before premiere putting finishing touches on the film. And Universal is now re-issuing updated prints of the film with "updated visual effects", very unheard of nowadays. But reviews are not great and audiences didn't think it was great either ("C+" CinemaScore). Yes, Greatest Showman had strong legs two years ago following a weak $8.8 million start. Yes, the holidays will help it out some. But, overall reception isn't the same here with audiences, so don't expect it to come anywhere near that film's $175 million final gross. We'll have to watch how it fares going through break ultimately.Proving to be a hit with adults, Knives Out was off just 33% to $6.1 million, for a strong $89.6 million pick-up in 24 days. Look for it to pass $100 million around Christmas Day. Its' also proving to be a hit overseas, with nearly $100 million earned there so far also.
After a solid limited launch last week, Bombshell didn't quite cause the stir it was hoping for. The Fox News-based biopic pulled in $5.1 million in its nationwide expansion (again behind the $8-10 million expected). Overall, mixed reviews, a lack of true awards season buzz, and audiences being fed up with modern politics didn't create a very positive storm here for the film. Maybe it will do well with adults over break? Right now, the jury is out.
Following its disappointing start last week, Richard Jewell failed to make up ground. The Clint Eastwood flick was off 45% to $2.6 million, for a weak $9.5 million pick-up in 10 days. Queen and Slim was off 48% to $1.85 million. The Universal release has earned a solid $36.6 million in 26 days and should make it above $40 million. Rounding out the Top 10 in its sixth frame is Ford v. Ferrari, as the possible Oscar contender was off 56% to $1.8 million. The Fox release is at a solid $102 million in 37 days, and nearly $200 million worldwide.
And that's about it. Next week brings a slew of releases for Christmas Day (Wednesday). Animated flick Spies in Disguise and book adaptation Little Women lead the charge along with the nationwide expansion of Adam Sandler's Uncut Gems. I will have a predictions post up on Thursday or Friday. :) Hope all has a great week!
