Overall business got off to a solid start for 2020, as the Top 10 was up 9% from this same weekend last year.
As expected, it was all Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker again at #1. However, the final installment in the Skywalker saga seems to be eroding quickly, off 53% to $33.7 million in its third weekend. In 17 days, Skywalker has earned an undeniably very strong $450.8 million. In comparison, The Last Jedi had earned $517 million through the end of its third weekend (and that was a week ahead on the calendar). At its current pace, this installment is looking to finish close to the same range as Rogue One ($532 million) from 2016. However, this installment is altogether holding better than its' predecessor, and is also continuing to be huge overseas. With another $50 million, the worldwide numbers have reached $920 million and will likely pass $1 billion in the next two weeks.
Holding very well in second is Jumanji: The Next Level. The counter-programming from Sony was off just 25% in its fourth frame to $26.5 million, for a very strong $236.2 million pick-up in 24 days. Should it continue to play well, the sequel should make it above $300 million stateside. It won't reach the $400 million gross of its predecessor, but that was a high bar to clear to begin with. Ultimately, however, earning that much in Star Wars' shadow is still a major accomplishment. Overseas numbers remain strong also, with the worldwide gross passing $600 million.
Following a strong start last week, Sony's new rendition of Little Women held exceptionally well in its sophomore frame. The awards contender was down just 19% to $13.6 million, for a very good $60 million pick-up in 12 days. If it gets major Oscar nominations in a little over a week, look for the final gross to get above $100 million. It's also off to a strong start overseas, with $20 million earned in just six markets.
Sony took second, third and fourth place this week with their reboot of The Grudge. After delaying it a few times, the horror flick finally settled in early-January and did outperform most forecasts (and came very close to my $12 million forecast). Earning $11.3 million (moderate $4,277 per-venue average), its' definitely a solid launch for a movie with just a $10 million budget. Its' also earned $6 million overseas so far. The one problem here is that its' one of only 21 movies in history to receive an "F" CinemaScore (the last one to do so was the indie Jennifer Lawrence flick mother! a couple years back). That means it will probably have a short run in theaters. However, I seriously doubt Sony will need too much from this to get it into the black. With the small budget on this and a possible strong debut from Bad Boys for Life next week, the studio will be fine.
Disney essentially tied for fifth with their blockbuster sequel Frozen 2. The animated sequel was down just 33% in its seventh weekend to $11.3 million. Disney Animation's latest is at a huge $449.9 million in 49 days and will hope to have enough legs left to get close to $500 million stateside. At least I believe it has a shot at passing Finding Dory ($486 million) here. Even more impressive, however, is the overseas tally, which has reached $1.325 billion. In other words, it has passed its' predecessor ($1.276 billion) to become the biggest animated movie of all-time worldwide. The sequel will look to have enough stamina left to maybe reach $1.5 billion.
Disney can also feel pretty decent about how Spies in Disguise has fared over Christmas. The Blue Sky Studios production was off just 25% to $10.1 million in its sophomore weekend, for an OK $46.7 million pick-up in 12 days. No competition next week will help, and the only real family competition through the remainder of January is from Universal's Dolittle opening in two weeks. If only overseas numbers were stronger ($42 million so far).
Lionsgate also fared well over Christmas with their original whodunit Knives Out remaining a strong player through break. The mystery was off just 9% from last weekend to $9 million, for a very strong $130.3 million pick-up in six weeks of release. One of the breakout hits of the year, Rian Johnson's latest will look to finish over $150 million stateside, with perhaps a similar amount coming internationally.
A24 has earned a major success story in the form of Adam Sandler's Uncut Gems. The R-rated dramedy was off just 18% to $7.8 million in its second nationwide weekend, for a strong $36.8 million pick-up in four weeks since its limited launch. The possible Oscar contender will look to finish above $50 million stateside (with maybe more if it gets multiple nominations), which would be very strong for an independent studio.
Lionsgate popped up again in ninth place with their political drama Bombshell, and it got a much-needed strong hold. The Fox News drama was down just 15% to $4.1 million, for a meh $24.6 million pick-up in 24 days. Rounding out the Top 10 is Cats, which is the only nationwide release to really not benefit from the Christmas stretch. The poorly-reviewed musical was off 46% to $2.6 million, for a weak $24.7 million gross in 17 days (and nearly $60 million worldwide).
And that's about it. This is the final weekend box office report I will be writing for awhile, so no predictions posts for awhile. For those that want to keep up with box office numbers, check boxofficemojo.com or boxoffice.com in the coming weeks. Hope all of you have a great week! :)
