‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2’ tops box office again
Despite some mighty competition, Katniss and her crew dominated the box office once again.
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” held on to its first-place spot in its second weekend in theaters, earning $51.6 million to top “The Good Dinosaur” and “Creed,” which both debuted Wednesday, according to Rentrak estimates on Sunday.
Audiences had their pick of genres over the crowded Thanksgiving weekend. Disney and Pixar’s animated dinosaur movie took second place, bringing in $39.2 million Friday through Sunday, while “Creed,” a new entry into the Rocky Balboa canon, came in third with $30.1 million.
Families accounted for 79 percent of the audience for “The Good Dinosaur.” The film, which cost a reported $175 million to $200 million to produce, grossed $55.6 million in its first five days in theaters.
“This Pixar group has just been so consistent with high-quality storytelling that appeals to all audiences,” said Dave Hollis, executive vice president of distribution for Disney. “We are off and running in a great way and also set up for a very, very long run.”
“Creed,” meanwhile, came out swinging. The critically acclaimed Ryan Coogler-directed film focuses on the character of Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) who wants his own shot in the ring with the help of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). The film has earned $42.6 million over five days.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Rentrak, said the indie sensibilities, critical response and stellar cast have made “Creed” the movie to see right now.
“This is a movie that’s going to go the distance,” Dergarabedian said.
James Bond film “Spectre,” with $12.8 million, and “The Peanuts Movie,” with $9.7 million, rounded out the top five.
No records were broken this Thanksgiving weekend, but that’s more of a sign of a crowded slate than the health of the box office, Dergarabedian said.
“Rankings are not as important this weekend as how these films can play for the long haul,” he said. “I haven’t seen this crowded of a marketplace in years.”
Palace releases first pics of Princess Charlotte
Princess Charlotte looks delighted with a cuddly toy dog in a photo taken by her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge.
It’s one of two images of the 6-month-old princess released Sunday by Kensington Palace.
The pictures of Charlotte in a Liberty print dress and pink cardigan were taken earlier this month at Anmer Hall, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s country home in eastern England.
The photos were released to thank wellwishers for all the “warm messages about Princess Charlotte” the family has received.
The princess was born May 2.