“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is the king of the U.S. holiday box office with a projected $160 million plus over the six-day Dec. 21-26 period, according to Friday estimates. More
Stay on target.
That’s the mantra as Lucasfilm and Disney get ready to launch stand-alone film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story at the worldwide box office. The film is widely expected to score the second-best December debut of all time behind last year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with a domestic opening of $135 million to $150 million for a global debut of $300 million to $350 million, according to bullish box-office observers. More
On the heels of topping the box office in its opening weekend, the widely-acclaimed magical adventure Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them surpassed half a billion dollars at the global box office on Tuesday, November 29, following its second weekend in release. The Fantastic Beasts box office announcement was made today by Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The series premieres in 2017 moreAudiences everywhere have flocked to theatres, eager to experience the new era in the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling. To date, the film has earned $161 million domestically and $344 million internationally for a global box office cume of $505 million and counting.
In making the announcement, Kroll stated, “We are thrilled by the success of this new adventure, which is also the start of an exciting new franchise for the studio. With ‘Fantastic Beasts,’ the brilliant J.K. Rowling has created an immersive story with timeless themes that are resonating with both critics and audiences in every corner of the world. We congratulate her, our director David Yates, the wonderful cast and everyone involved in the film on this milestone.”
Jeff Goldstein, President, Domestic Distribution, said, “Anticipation grew exponentially in the weeks leading up to the release of ‘Fantastic Beasts,’ and now with the film in theaters we are seeing strong word of mouth and repeat attendance, which should carry the film…
The 2016 Thanksgiving holiday box-office frame was a tale of feast or famine.
In another huge win for animated films — and Disney — Moana scored one of the best five-day Thanksgiving showings of all time with $81.1 million from 3,875 theaters, enough to conquer holdover Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which placed No. 2 in its second outing with $65.8 million from 4,144 theaters for a domestic total of $156.2 million.
Overseas, Fantastic Beasts topped the chart with a pleasing $132 million for a $317.5 million cume and global haul of $473.7 million. Moana is rolling out slowly abroad, where it took in $16.3 million over the weekend from its first handful of territories, including $12.3 million in China, where it was trounced by Fantastic Beasts‘ $41.1 million start.
If the $81.1 million domestic estimate holds, Moana will boast the No. 2 Thanksgiving launch of all time behind fellow Disney title Frozen ($93.6 million), not accounting for inflation. (Currently, Toy Story 2 is No. 2 with $80.1 million). Among all films, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire remains the five-day Thanksgiving record holder with $109.9 million.
Moana has everything going for it: glowing reviews; an A CinemaScore; Dwayne Johnson, who voices a demigod enlisted by a fierce young Polynesian princess; and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the music with Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina. Newcomer Auli’i Cravalho voices the title character. Disney scored a second victory over Thanksgiving as Doctor Strange crossed $616 million globally, including a third-place finish domestically with a five-day gross of $18.9 million.
At the other end of the spectrum, Warren Beatty’s Rules Don’t Apply bombed with a five-day gross of $2.2 million from 2,382 theaters, one of the worst starts ever for a title going out in more than 2,000 theaters. New Regency backed…
The domestic box office crossed the $10 billion Friday, the fastest it has ever hit the milestone — all thanks in large part to the fantasy and animation genres. The 2016 record beats the previous one set in 2013, which reached the high mark on Dec. 7.
The National Association of Theatre Owners reported the landmark total upon the Thanksgiving weekend release of Disney’s latest animated film Moana, which earned an estimated $47 million domestically over its first three days of release this week. The Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, earned $74 million in its opening weekend, adding another $56 million this week.
Both…
Disney’s “Moana” topped the Thanksgiving eve box office, picking up $15.7 million in its first full day of release, and leaving the competition in its wake.
The animated adventure is tracking closely to “Frozen,” which picked up $15.2 million over the same holiday period in 2013, ultimately making $93.4 million over the five day festivities. “Moana,” which follows a girl in the Pacific islands who embarks on an oceanic journey to save her people, is on pace to debut to more than $80 million over the five-day Thanksgiving corridor. Disney didn’t release a budget for “Moana,” but most animated films from the studio run between $150 million to $200 million.
Disney is on a hot streak at the…