The recent weekend at the North American box office witnessed a unique phenomenon, as movie theaters and audiences found themselves relying on previously released films due to the absence of any new wide releases.
This situation resulted in a notable continuity of viewership for several films, with “The Beekeeper” emerging as the top performer in its third week of release.
The Jason Statham action film, a product of Amazon MGM Studios, secured the coveted No. 1 spot by earning an impressive $7.4 million, marking a mere 14% decline from the previous weekend.
The film’s domestic total has now reached $42.3 million, while its global earnings have surpassed the $100 million mark.
Following closely behind “The Beekeeper,” Paramount’s “Mean Girls” musical, also in its third weekend, garnered $7.3 million, contributing to its cumulative North American earnings of $60.8 million.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ “Wonka,” featuring Timothée Chalamet, secured the third position by adding $5.9 million to its seventh-weekend performance.
The musical, which has been steadily captivating audiences, is inching closer to the impressive milestone of $200 million in domestic earnings, currently standing at $195.2 million in North America and an impressive $552 million globally.
This weekend’s box office results serve as a testament to the enduring appeal of certain films, as well as the ability of holdovers to sustain audience interest in the absence of new releases.
The consistent performance of these films, particularly “The Beekeeper,” “Mean Girls,” and “Wonka,” underscores the enduring power of storytelling and the captivating nature of cinematic experiences.
Furthermore, these figures highlight the resilience of the film industry and its capacity to maintain audience engagement despite external challenges, such as the absence of new wide releases.
The success of “The Beekeeper” and its counterparts not only reflects the dedication of moviegoers but also underscores the significance of diverse storytelling and compelling performances in attracting and retaining audiences.
The ability of these films to maintain strong box office performances speaks to the enduring impact of well-crafted narratives, engaging characters, and immersive cinematic experiences.
Furthermore, the global appeal of these films, as evidenced by their impressive international earnings, underscores the universal resonance of storytelling and the power of cinema to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
In conclusion, the recent box office results, characterized by the sustained success of holdover films such as “The Beekeeper,” “Mean Girls,” and “Wonka,” serve as a testament to the enduring appeal of cinematic storytelling.
These performances not only highlight the resilience of the film industry but also underscore the universal allure of well-crafted narratives and captivating performances.
As audiences continue to embrace these films, the box office landscape stands as a testament to the enduring power of cinema and its ability to captivate and inspire audiences across the globe.
Over the weekend, the top five movies at the box office included Universal and Illumination’s “Migration,” which raked in $5.1 million, propelling its domestic earnings past the $100 million milestone.
Sony’s romantic comedy “Anyone But You” secured $4.8 million, bringing its total to $71.2 million. Senior media analyst for Comscore,
Paul Dergarabedian, remarked on the weekend’s box office performance, noting that while it was relatively slow in terms of sheer numbers, it presented an excellent opportunity for moviegoers.
Dergarabedian also highlighted the impact of recent strikes and the resulting disruption to the release calendar, which has created both challenges and potential within the film industry.
Notable beneficiaries of the weekend included the Hindi-language action film “Fighter,” making its debut in sixth place with $3.7 million, and the re-release of “Godzilla Minus One” in black and white, which secured a spot in the top 10.
Additionally, several awards contenders saw significant boosts in ticket sales, with the first moviegoing weekend following the announcement of Oscar nominations.
While many acclaimed films are already available for home viewing, such as “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “The Holdovers,” those still in theaters experienced a surge in interest due to the Oscar buzz.
Amazon and MGM’s “American Fiction,” nominated for five awards, including best picture and best actor for Jeffrey Wright, saw a remarkable 65% increase in ticket sales in its seventh week, earning $2.9 million.
This weekend, Searchlight’s “Poor Things,” a film that has garnered an impressive 11 Oscar nominations, including nods for best picture, best director, and best actress for Emma Stone, experienced a significant 43% surge, raking in an estimated $3 million.
The global earnings for this Yorgos Lanthimos creation now stand at $51.1 million. Paul Dergarabedian emphasized the significance of exceptional Oscar contenders standing out amidst the clamor, particularly on a relatively subdued weekend, allowing these films to carve out their places within the top 10.
A24’s “The Zone of Interest,” recognized with five nominations, including best picture and best director for Jonathan Glazer, expanded its reach to 317 screens and amassed $1.1 million, with the majority of its audience in key markets falling below the age of 35.
Meanwhile, Universal’s leading Oscar nominee “Oppenheimer” earned an additional million dollars from 1,262 theaters, and Focus Features’ Alexander Payne’s
“The Holdovers,” a prominent Oscar contender also available for streaming on Peacock, accrued an estimated $520,000 after adding 1,140 screens, bringing its total earnings to $19.3 million domestically and $31.2 million globally, including $3.3 million from international markets.
Comscore’s estimated ticket sales for U.S. and Canadian theaters over the weekend are as follows: “The Beekeeper” at $7.4 million, “Mean Girls” at $7.3 million, “Wonka” at $5.9 million, “Migration” at $5.1 million, “Anyone But You” at $4.8 million, “Fighter” at $3.7 million, “Poor Things” at $3 million, “American Fiction” at $2.9 million, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” at $2.8 million, and “Godzilla Minus One” at $2.6 million. Final domestic figures will be disclosed on Monday.