Weekend Wrap-Up: Maze Runner Leads 2018 to a Photo Finish with $24.17 million
January 30, 2018
Maze Runner: The Death Cure beat expectations by a little bit with $24.17 million. In fact, every film in the top five this this weekend, except one, topped expectations, including the other new release, Hostiles. This helped the overall box office rise 2.6% from last week. It did fall 0.8% from last year, but 2018 is still ahead of 2017 by $18 million or 2.1% at $908 million to $890 million.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure opened in first place with $24.17 million. As long as its legs are not short, it will be able to match its $62 million production budget during its domestic run. Granted, its reviews are mixed, while it only managed a B plus from CinemaScore, so I don’t expect long legs. On the other hand, it has already pulled in $82 million internationally, so it should break even early in its home market run.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle took $16.14 million over the weekend for a total of $337.80 million after six weeks of release. It is now the fifth biggest hit of 2017 and the third biggest hit in Sony’s history. It might not be done climbing either of those charts.
Hostiles earned $10.11 million during its first weekend of wide release for a total of $11.96 million, including its limited release run. The film had amazing legs during its limited release run and its reviews are good. However, it only managed a B from CinemaScore, which is not a good result. We will have a better idea what the movie’s legs will be like next weekend. The film’s production budget is been reported at $40 million to $50 million, it will need amazing legs to break even any time soon.
The Greatest Showman climbed into fourth place with $9.55 million over the weekend for a total of $126.53 million. The film has been in fourth place five times during its six-week run, and I have a funny feeling it will remain in fourth place next weekend.
The Post fell to fifth place with $9.11 million over the weekend for a total of $58.79 million after six weeks of release. The film has already earned more than it cost to make and given its legs, it could still be in wide release for several more weeks.
Padmavati earned 10th place with $4.27 million in just 324 theaters. The film has earned very good reviews, but films aimed at this target audience tend to have really short legs. If it can find crossover appeal, then it could stick in theaters for more than a few weeks.
12 Strong and Den of Thieves had nearly identical results during their sophomore stint. The former earned $8.69 million over the weekend for a two-week total of $29.81 million, while the latter earned $8.63 million for a ten-day total of $28.78 million. Forever My Girl held on the best, down just 16% to $3.57 million over the weekend for a total of $9.13 million after two. Unfortunately, its theater average is just $2,507, so theater owners won’t want to keep the film around too much longer.
- Maze Runner: The Death Cure Comparisons
- Hostiles Comparisons
Filed under: Weekend Wrap-up, The Greatest Showman, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, The Post, Den of Thieves, 12 Strong, Forever My Girl, Hostiles, Padmavati, The Maze Runner