Weekend box office: Rogue One continues its dominance

Brad Sturdivant January 1st, 2017

The last second Oscar hopefuls usually hit the week after Christmas, but it’s always hard to gauge how well they’re doing since studios are still obsessed with the limited release schedule. It’s insanely frustrating, especially for people that would love to see something like LA LA LAND, but since they live in a smaller market, they won’t be able to until the studio widens its release. But even on 700+ screens, LA LA LAND managed $9 million, which is pretty impressive. The other limited release was Denzel Washington’s FENCES, which had a slightly wider reach with over 2,300 screens and it managed $10 million. In a year void of great, low budget films, I’m happy to see LA LA LAND and FENCES do well. But the number one movie of the weekend box office was, of course, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. The juggernaut continues its box office dominance and doesn’t look like its going to slow down anytime soon.

Next week sees Kate Beckinsale return to the role that made her a household name in UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS. We also get the fantastic, but little talked about A MONSTER CALLS. I would have thought A MONSTER CALLS would have a lot more buzz by now, but maybe it’s not connecting with other viewers like it connected with me. If Rogue One is pulling in $50 million this long after its release, then I don’t see UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS beating it, even if it will take some of the audience from Rogue One. I think the best it can hope for is second place. Note: the numbers below are for the three day weekend and will be updated as they become final.

1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story $50.6m

2. Sing $43.7m

3. Passengers $15.2m

4. Moana $10.6m

5. Fences $10.1m

6. La La Land $9.1m

7. Why Him? $8.8m

8. Assassin’s Creed $7.5m

9. Manchester By the Sea $4m

10. Collateral Beauty $3.7m

(Deadline)