OPENINGS: It was the Thanksgiving holiday of Hollywood’s dreams, spearheaded by the record-breaking performance of MOANA 2 (Disney), which shoveled in $221M during the Wed-Sun period and $135.5M for the weekend itself. Most Thanksgiving blockbusters launch the weekend before the holiday, so there aren’t a lot of direct comparisons to make. In contrast to Frozen (now the #2 title to open for the 5-day holiday), the new film is more frontloaded, with 63% of its 5-day start earned in the initial 3 days, compared to 57% for Frozen, which isn’t unexpected for a sequel. Still, with a clear runway until December 20, when Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Disney’s own Mufasa arrive for the family audience, Moana 2 should do battle with Inside Out 2 ($653M) and Deadpool and Wolverine ($636.7M)–both also from Disney–as the top movie of 2024. Moana 2 was also huge overseas, even though Thanksgiving is a US-only holiday, with $165.3M in 48 markets.
HOLDOVERS: Despite the massive direct competition from Moana 2, WICKED (Universal) held very well, down 29% to $80M for the 3 day weekend ($117.5M for the 5-day holiday). It should end its US run north of $400M. However, the relative obscurity of the stage musical overseas is holding it to $97M thus far after a $29M weekend in 61 territories. The studio will hope that next year’s Wicked 2 will be able to build on that.
GLADIATOR 2 (Paramount) is in the opposite position. In the US, it dropped 44% to $30.7M for the weekend ($44M for the full holiday), and may not get past $200M. Internationally, though, it has $208.8M already, after a $27.2M weekend in 64 markets. However, given its enormous cost, even a $500M worldwide total may not be enough for profit.
RED ONE (MGM/Amazon) benefited from the family holiday, down just 3% for the weekend to $12.9M ($18.7M with Wed-Thurs). It should be able to stretch past $100M in the US. It’s more subdued overseas, with $72.6M after a $5M weekend in 75 territories. Leaving aside the “money doesn’t matter to Amazon” treatises, the film won’t come close to recouping its costs.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER (Lionsgate) also mopped up some of the leftover family crowd, down 5% to $3.3M for the weekend ($4.9M since Wednesday) and should reach $40M in the US. It’s barely opened overseas.
BONHOEFFER: PASTOR. SPY. ASSASSIN (Angel) didn’t reap any holiday benefits, down 52% to $2.4M ($3.4M for the full holiday). It may barely pass $15M in the US, and hasn’t opened internationally.
VENOM: THE LAST DANCE (Marvel/Columbia/Sony) dropped 43% to $2.2M for the weekend ($3.1M since Wednesday), on its way to $145M in the US. It’s far bigger overseas, with $330.3M after a $3.8M weekend in 66 markets.
LIMITED RELEASE: QUEER (A24) opened in 7 theaters with an OK $27K per-theater average over the 3-day weekend (the average was $42.2K over 5 days). ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT (Janus/Sideshow) expanded to 26 and averaged $2500 for the 3-day weekend. THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG (Neon) averaged $11K at 3. PORCELAIN WAR (Picturehouse) had a $4400 average ta 3. HEAVIER TRIP (Music Box) averaged $700 at 15.
NEXT WEEKEND: The post-Thanksgiving weekend is typically a grab-bag of indies, and this year’s assortment includes Y2K (A24), WEREWOLVES (Briarcliff), and limited releases of OH, CANADA (Kino Lorber), NIGHTBITCH (Searchlight/Disney), THE ORDER (Vertical) and THE END (Neon).
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