Lights, camera, action! The box office is buzzing with excitement as Timothée Chalamet and the enchanting world of 'Wonka' continue to captivate audiences for the third time in four weekends. Warner Bros.' whimsical musical has added a delightful $14.4 million to its treasure trove, bringing its domestic grosses to a whopping $164.7 million. It's safe to say that 'Wonka' is sweetly following in the footsteps of the beloved 'The Greatest Showman,' which danced its way to a remarkable $435 million globally after a humble opening of under $9 million back in December 2017.
Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore, gleefully notes that 'Wonka' is a perfect crowd pleaser, released at the perfect time to ride the wave of joy into the new year. 'It's an opportune time for it to be in the marketplace,' he says, with a twinkle of excitement in his eyes.
While 2023 ended on a high note, 2024 is taking a leisurely start, down by approximately 16% compared to the previous year. The only major new offering gracing theaters is Universal/Blumhouse's spine-tingling horror flick, 'Night Swim.' This chilling tale, starring Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon, revolves around a couple and their sinister, supernatural swimming pool. In its opening weekend, 'Night Swim' ominously lured in an estimated $12 million across 3,250 theaters in North America, all within its reported $15 million production budget. As the nefarious waters flow into international markets, the movie is projected to make a splash with a global debut of $17.7 million.
Jim Orr, Universal's head of domestic distribution, wryly remarks, 'Not only did it perform really well at the box office, but it's going to make us look at every swimming pool with a little more trepidation.' Orr is certainly spot on; horror movies have an uncanny ability to provoke terror regardless of critical reception. However, with rather lukewarm reviews and a mediocre C CinemaScore rating, 'Night Swim' may not reach the viral success achieved by last year's demon doll extravaganza, 'M3GAN.'
As we ponder the box office landscape, it's important to remember that we don't have a cinematic juggernaut like 'Avatar: The Way of Water' or a thrilling hit like 'M3GAN' to supercharge this weekend. Nevertheless, it's still far too early to predict the trajectory of the year, with many surprises lurking in the shadows.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros.' underwater superhero adventure, 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' comfortably dives into third place, pocketing a cool $10.6 million in its third weekend and sailing past the $100 million mark in domestic earnings. Just a splash behind, Universal's animated feast for the eyes, 'Migration,' gracefully glides in with an additional $10.3 million, securing its domestic total at a respectable $77.8 million.
In fifth place, Sony's endearing romantic comedy starring Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney, 'Anyone But You,' continues to charm audiences, adding a heartwarming $9.5 million to its blossoming $43.7 million earnings.
Cineplexes nationwide have become a haven for the cinephile's soul, with a lineup of mesmerizing awards contenders such as 'The Color Purple,' 'The Iron Claw,' and 'Poor Things.' The Golden Globes broadcast on Sunday night has the potential to illuminate these gems, spreading awareness and excitement for these cinematic treasures. As Paul Dergarabedian eloquently puts it, 'The Golden Globes are like a three-hour infomercial for the industry. There's no downside to having a very high profile telecast that puts a spotlight on the movies.'
So, as the curtain falls on this box office weekend, we eagerly await Monday's release of the final domestic figures. But rest assured, dear movie lovers, the magic of 'Wonka' and the allure of the silver screen continue to bring joy, excitement, and unforgettable moments to theaters near you. Stay tuned for more cinematic wonders as the year unfolds. Until then, let your imagination dance amidst the flickering lights of the big screen.
