“The Color Purple,” a colorful rendition of the well-liked Broadway musical, exceeded forecasts by taking in an astounding $18 million from 3,152 theaters on Christmas Day, making it a joyous triumph. Along with being the biggest since 2009, this Christmas Day opening ranks second in the history of the film industry.
The trifecta of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” and “Wonka” allowed Warner Bros. to demonstrate its supremacy at the box office. With its $18 million opening weekend, “The Color Purple” outperformed prior stage-to-film adaptations, including “West Side Story,” “In the Heights,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” and “Cats.”
Directed by Blitz Bazawule and backed by Warner Bros., “The Color Purple” enjoyed the advantage of premiering on Christmas Day, a prime moviegoing occasion. The musical, with its $100 million budget, received a boost from positive reviews and an “A” CinemaScore, setting it on a promising trajectory. The film’s resonating power surpassed the opening weekends of comparable musical adaptations.
“The Color Purple” weaves the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of Celie, portrayed by Fantasia Barrino, an American Idol winner. The cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, and Halle Bailey, promising a compelling narrative set in early 1900s Georgia.
While “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” brought in $10.5 million from 3,706 venues on Christmas Day, its overall performance fell below expectations with a four-day holiday frame opening of $38 million. The sequel, starring Jason Momoa, joins a string of underperforming DC films from Warner Bros. this year.
In contrast, “Wonka,” the fantasy musical featuring Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka, celebrated a merrier Christmas with $10.3 million from 4,213 venues. With a cumulative domestic revenue of $86 million and a global total of $254.9 million after two weeks, the prequel story proves to be a box office success.
Despite mixed reviews, “The Boys in the Boat,” recounting the true story of the 1936 Olympic games rowing team, secured a decent start with $5.7 million from 2,557 theaters. The film, featuring an ensemble cast, received an “A” CinemaScore, indicating positive audience sentiment.
As Hollywood wraps up the year with a mix of successes and challenges, “The Color Purple” emerges as a holiday beacon, captivating audiences and setting a vibrant tone for the final stretch of 2023.
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