After a strong debut with $44.6 million the previous weekend, “The Hunger Games” prequel continued to draw crowds, grossing an impressive $28.8 million over the weekend and $42 million over the extended five-day holiday frame. In just two weeks, the film has amassed nearly $100 million domestically and a staggering $200 million globally, solidifying its place as a box office juggernaut.
The battle for second place was a close one, with Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” narrowly surpassing Disney’s “Wish.” Despite mixed reviews (61% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm CinemaScore (“B-“), “Napoleon” exceeded expectations, grossing $32.5 million over the five-day weekend and an estimated $20.4 million from Friday through Sunday. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby, the historical drama also claimed the top spot globally with $78.8 million.
Disney Animation, known for Thanksgiving successes like “Frozen II” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” faced disappointment as “Wish” failed to meet expectations. The film, celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary, garnered $31.7 million over five days and $19.5 million from Friday through Sunday, falling short of the projected debut closer to $50 million. Critics expressed reservations, labelling it more of a marketing spectacle than magical cinema.
The box office landscape over the holiday weekend saw competition from DreamWorks and Universal Pictures’ “Trolls Band Together,” which added $17.5 million in its second frame. While Disney’s “Wish” faced a more competitive market than usual, analysts suggest the story might not be over yet, drawing parallels to Pixar’s “Elemental,” which found success after a lukewarm start.
As Hollywood’s award season gains momentum, new releases like Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn” and Netflix’s Bradley Cooper-starrer “Maestro” entered the fray. Focus Features’ “The Holdovers,” starring Paul Giamatti, continued to hold its ground, making $3.8 million over the five-day weekend.
While the overall ticket sales reached $172 million in the U.S. and Canada, a significant uptick from recent years, it still falls behind the pre-pandemic Thanksgiving weekends, indicating a continued evolution of audience patterns in the post-pandemic era.
Napoleon – Official Trailer
