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December 24, 2016
 

Holiday Box Office Volume: through December 23

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Written by: Mitch Metcalf
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For the 8 days December 16-23, the top 10 films each day in North America have totaled $392 million, -16% below last year’s record pace, but a robust +66% above the average since 2002. The arrival of Star Wars into the holiday period (The Force Awakens in 2015 and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story this year) has taken this important period to a whole other level.

Holiday Box Office Volume — Top 10 Films North America
$ millions by year $ millions (2002-2015)
# days Period 2016 2015 2014 2013 Average Peak Year Low Year
7 Dec 16-22 336 415 196 193 201 415 (’15) 112 (’08)
8 Dec 16-23 392 467 222 226 237 467 (’15) 128 (’08)
9 Dec 16-24 503 238 248 258 503 (’15) 138 (’08)
10 Dec 16-25 599 309 315 323 599 (’15) 205 (’08)
11 Dec 16-26 700 376 373 387 700 (’15) 268 (’08)
12 Dec 16-27 776 440 432 441 776 (’15) 329 (’08)
13 Dec 16-28 831 487 494 490 831 (’15) 375 (’08)
14 Dec 16-29 887 522 541 536 887 (’15) 408 (’04)
15 Dec 16-30 942 560 580 582 942 (’15) 442 (’04)
16 Dec 16-31 988 593 616 620 988 (’15) 475 (’08)
17 Dec 16-Jan 1 1,065 640 664 672 1,065 (’15) 525 (’08)
18 Dec 16-Jan 2 1,143 691 690 714 1,143 (’15) 558 (’04)
19 Dec 16-Jan 3 1,188 738 733 744 1,188 (’15) 571 (’04)

 

December 23, 2016 is a preliminary $55.6 million for the top 10 films, well above the $38.7 million average since 2002 when the date has fallen on a weekend and also slightly above the $51.9 million last year (when Dec 23 fell on a Wednesday).

December 24 has averaged $20.9 million since 2002 when the date has fallen on a weekend.  Last year December 24 (on a Thursday) added up to $36.5 million for the top 10.

December 25 has averaged $62.5 million since 2002 when the date has fallen on a weekend.  Last year December 25 (on a Friday) added up to $95.8 million for the top 10.   

Top Holiday Season Films Each Year:

  • 2015: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • 2014: The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
  • 2013: The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug / Frozen
  • 2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
  • 2011: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
  • 2010: Little Fockers
  • 2009: Avatar
  • 2008: Marley and Me / Yes Man
  • 2007: National Treasure: Book of Secrets
  • 2006: Night at the Museum
  • 2005: The Chronicles of Narnia / King Kong
  • 2004: Meet the Fockers
  • 2003: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
  • 2002: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  • 2001: Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
  • 2000: Cast Away

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About the Author

Mitch Metcalf
MITCH METCALF has been tracking every US film release of over 500 screens (over 2300 movies and counting) since the storied weekend of May 20, 1994, when Maverick and Beverly Hills Cop 3 inspired countless aficionados to devote their lives to the art of cinema. Prior to that, he studied Politics and Economics at Princeton in order to prepare for his dream of working in television. He has been Head of West Coast Research at ABC, then moved to NBC in 2000 and became Head of Scheduling for 11 years.