In a surprising turn of events at the Christmas box office, Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka emerged as the season’s winner, surpassing $100 million in the U.S., while DC’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom faced a challenging tide.
Despite the festive season, the overall box office sentiment is less cheerful, with Wednesday’s revenue down 52 percent compared to the same day in 2019, before the pandemic disrupted the industry.
After initially yielding the top spot to Aquaman 2 over the long Dec. 22-25 weekend, Wonka reclaimed its throne on Tuesday and Wednesday, raking in $8 million and pushing its North American total to an impressive $102.5 million.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, starring Jason Momoa, struggled to make waves in its first six days, earning $52.5 million domestically, more than 55 percent behind its predecessor. However, its overseas cumulative stands at over $100 million.
Illumination and Universal’s Migration secured the second position behind Wonka, earning $6.3 million on Wednesday, totaling $30.6 million domestically. Predictably, the family film gained momentum post-Christmas as schools closed for the week.
The Color Purple, a musical adaptation produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, claimed the fourth spot with $3.9 million on Wednesday, boasting a domestic total of $29 million. Despite a dazzling start with an $18 million opening on Christmas Day, the film faces scrutiny regarding its longevity, with a 45 percent drop from Tuesday to Wednesday, the steepest among the top 10.
Sony’s romantic comedy Anyone but You held the fifth position, witnessing a 1 percent increase day-over-day, with a Wednesday gross of $2.6 million, reaching a domestic total of $13.3 million.
George Clooney’s The Boys in the Boat from MGM and Amazon secured the sixth spot with a solid $2.5 million on Wednesday and a three-day domestic total of $11.2 million.
The competitive landscape also featured Neon’s Ferrari, placing eighth on Wednesday with $1.2 million and an early total of $5.6 million.
In a season marked by challenges, Wonka’s success shines as a testament to its enduring appeal, capturing the hearts and wallets of holiday audiences.
Also Read:
