Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Pixar’s ‘Coco’ feasts on ‘Justice League’ at box office
NEW YORK » Pixar’s “Coco” sang its way to the fourth best Thanksgiving weekend ever with an estimated $71.2 million over the five-day weekend, a total that easily toppled Warner Bros.’ “Justice League.”
“Coco” rode strong reviews and an A-plus CinemaScore from audiences to the top spot at the domestic box office. According to studio estimates Sunday, it grossed $49 million from Friday to Sunday. Centered on the Mexican holiday Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), “Coco” has already set box office records in Mexico, where it has made $53.4 million in three weeks.
After a disappointing debut last weekend, the much-maligned DC Comics superhero team-up film “Justice League” slid to second with $40.7 million. In the five-day holiday frame, it earned about $60 million. “Justice League” is faring better overseas, where it has made more than $300 million.
The two top spots told a familiar tale: Quality is trumping mediocrity at the box office, where Rotten Tomato ratings bear considerable weight and where word-of-mouth spreads lightning quick. “Coco” is Pixar’s sixth release to land an Aplus CinemaScore from audiences. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes rating, 96 percent fresh, is more than double that of “Justice League” (41 percent).
“In a world where moviegoing and quality seem to be connected, having a brand that has as consistently as Pixar has delivered on very high expectations definitely makes our work a little easier,” said Dave Hollis, distribution chief for the Walt Disney Co., which owns Pixar. “Consumers have really come to expect high quality. This is once again Pixar doing what they do best.”
The success of “Coco” came just as reports of sexual misconduct were published regarding Pixar cofounder and Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter. On Tuesday, Lasseter announced that he was taking “a six-month sabbatical.” He acknowledged “missteps” and “unwanted hugs” with employees. Disney has said it supports Lasseter’s leave of absence.
Lasseter has been foundational to the rise of Pixar and the revitalization of Disney Animation. “Coco” is the latest in a long line of hits he’s overseen.
After some early blunders (Disney tried to trademark “Dia de Los Muertos,” sparking a backlash), the studio strove to capture Mexican culture authentically in “Coco,” enlisting cultural consultants for their feedback. The film, directed by Lee Unkrich and co-directed by Adrian Molina, is one of the largest U.S. productions ever to feature a largely all-Latino cast.
That makes “Coco” an anomaly in the Pixar canon but also in Hollywood. Hispanics made up 23 percent of frequent moviegoers last year, but they’re seldom catered to. Disney didn’t share ethnic demographics for “Coco” ticket buyers but said signs pointed to a high turnout among Latinos. But “Coco” also performed well elsewhere, like in China where it made $18.2 million.
“Telling great stories that represent the audience is a part of what makes a film successful, especially when you get it right,” said Hollis.