Disney sequel hits jackpot
Disney’s Ralph Breaks the Internet topped a quiet weekend at the domestic box office, marking the third straight win for the animated sequel.
It earned $16.2-million in its third week of release, generating $140m since it opened.
Another cartooned adventure almost gave Ralph a run for its money. Illumination and Universal’s The Grinch pocketed $15.2m in its fifth outing, marking a decline of just 15%.
Based on the Dr Seuss classic holiday tale, The Grinch has made $223.5m in North America and $322.4m globally.
A series of holdovers rounded out the top five as studios largely sat out the pre-holiday frame.
Moviegoing will get a boost next weekend when Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Mule, and Mortal Engines hit theatres.
That will kickoff a competitive Christmas race as Mary Poppins Returns, Aquaman, and Bumblebee enter the fray the following weekend.
Aquaman got a headstart overseas, launching in China this weekend with a massive $93.6m.
With no new wide releases, a number of awards hopefuls got their start at the indie box office. Focus Features’ Mary Queen of Scots brought in $200,000 when it debuted in four theatres.
That’s the best screen average of the weekend with $50,000 per location. Saoirse Ronan plays the eponymous royal and Margot Robbie portrays Queen Elizabeth I in the costume drama.
Focus is expanding the film to 70 theatres next weekend.
“Our first-time film director Josie Rourke took a fresh take on this incredible drama of these two queens and made it resonate with audiences in a powerful way paralleling so much of what is still going on today for women,” said Lisa Bunnell, Focus Features’ president of distribution.
Roadside Attractions’ Ben Is Back opened on four screens, picking up $80,972 for a screen average of $20,243. The drama follows a mother (Julia Roberts) who attempts to help her addict son (Lucas Hedges) after he returns home from rehab. Lucas Hedges father, Peter Hedges, directed the movie.
Meanwhile, Neon’s Vox Lux starring Natalie Portman as a pop star with a traumatic past launched in six locations. It earned $162,252 for a theatre average of $27,042.
Creed II landed in third place with $10.3m in its third outing. Its domestic total now sits at $96.4m. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald nabbed fourth, picking up another $6.8m this weekend. That takes its North American tally to $145m. Rounding out the top five is Bohemian Rhapsody, drumming up $6m to bring its Stateside haul to $173.6m. — Reuters
Filmgoers will get a boost next weekend when three new movies hit the big screens