Weekend box office: In the Heart of the Sea and Hunger Games battle it out
Let’s just say this weekend had a major case of the pre-Star Wars blues. It seems everyone is waiting for December 18th to arrive and decided to stay at home this weekend. Therefore, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 managed to grab the top spot at the weekend box office, narrowly beating out the Chris Hemsworth starring IN THE HEART OF THE SEA. There was a lot of hope for Sea, but in the end Chris Hemsworth wasn’t enough to bring it to box office glory. And it doesn’t look like Warner Bros. has much hope for Sea come awards season either as the studio hasn’t pushed it very hard in the various critic’s circles.
Next week sees the opening of ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP, which should easily take the weekend box office. Just kidding. Of course, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS opens up and the only question is which records will it destroy. Some analysts are predicting a $300 million opening and since the film has already scored $50 million in pre-sales, I don’t think that’s completely out of the question. But in order to do $300 million, it will have to bring in the average, non-fan and I don’t see the average person excited to wait in line to see Star Wars. But Star Wars isn’t the only film opening up. We also have Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reuniting in SISTERS, which might be the best case of counter-marketing we’ve seen in years. I still don’t think it will make much of an impact, but it should take second place. Note: the numbers below will be updated as they become final.
1. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 $11.1m
2. In the Heart of the Sea $10.5m
3. The Good Dinosaur $10.1m
4. Creed $9.7m
5. Krampus $7.6m
6. The Night Before $4m
7. Spectre $3.9m
8. The Peanuts Movie $2.5m
9. Spotlight $2.4m
10. Brooklyn $1.9m
(Deadline)
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