Movies
Box Office Recap: ‘Star Wars’ Rules Christmas Weekend, Crosses $1B Globally
In its second weekend at the box office, Star Wars: The Force Awakens dominated the charts with an additional $153.5 million domestically – crossing the $1 billion mark worldwide.
When it debuted last week, the sci-fi blockbuster defeated Jurassic World’s record-breaking $208.8 million, opening with a momentous $238 million and taking the claim as the biggest first weekend debut ever. This week, Force Awakens also managed to exceed Jurassic’s second week gross of $106.6 million.
“The speed with which records are falling is a testament to the audience broadening out. And you’re seeing extraordinary repeat business,” said Disney distribution chief Dave Hollis. “We know anecdotally there are people who are seeing the movie three and four times. Everybody wants to be part of something that has become a cultural phenomenon.”
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Breaks Global Box Office Record
In the past twelve days, Force Awakens has earned a total of $544.6 million domestically and $286.8 worldwide ($546 million internationally), which helped to push its overall sum to nearly $1.1 billion – and that isn’t even counting China. The world’s second-largest moviegoing market will be able to see the film starting January 9th.
The sequel features a strong female heroine, a young scavenger named Rey played by newcomer Daisy Ridley. Rey and a renegade Stormtrooper (John Boyega) team together to find the lost Jedi knight Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Force Awakens also stars Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher from the original trilogy, as well as Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o and Domhnall Gleeson.
In second place at the box office is newcomer Daddy’s Home with $38.8 million from 3,271 theaters. The PG-13 comedy, starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, received poor reviews from critics (28 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes), but a more positive response from moviegoers (B minus CinemaScore).
“This is a movie that the whole family can go to together,” said Paramount vice chairman Rob Moore. “This is the Star Wars for comedy.”
The holiday weekend’s other newcomer included David O. Russell’s Joy, which took in $17.5 million from 2,896 theaters for a third place finish. The film, loosely based on the life of the Miracle Mop mogul Joy Mangano, stars Jennifer Lawrence, who is nominated for a Golden Globe Award for best comedy actress for her performance.
“It’s an emotional tale of empowerment and the pursuit of the American dream and those are themes that people just gravitate towards,” said Chris Aronson, the head of Fox’s domestic distribution.
Moviegoers, who were 66 percent female and 77 percent over the age of 25, gave Joy a B plus CinemaScore, while critics gave it a 56 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The final newcomer was Sony and Village Roadshow’s Concussion, starring Will Smith, earning $11 million from 2,841 theaters for a sixth place finish. The NFL drama, which earned an A CinemaScore from moveigoers, ranks as the lowest wide opening of Smith’s career.
“We’re off to a good start, and the picture will resonate for weeks to come,” said Sony distribution chief Rory Bruer. “I thought the demos were great in terms of having a 50-50 split between males and females. And Will Smith’s performance is really quite amazing.”
Rounding out the top five are holdovers Sisters and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip. In fourth place is Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s sibling comedy with $13.9 million ($37.1 million total), while family feature Alvin placed fifth with $12.7 million ($39.4 million).
Top 10 Films at Weekend Box Office: December 25-27
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens — $153.5 million
- Daddy’s Home — $38.8 million
- Joy — $17.5 million
- Sisters — $13.9 million
- Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip — $12.7 million
- Concussion — $11 million
- The Big Short — $10.5 million
- Point Break — $10.2 million
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 — $5.3 million
- The Hateful Eight — $4.5 million