Weekend Estimates: Christmas Comes Early for Animation

December 9, 2018

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Both animated films are doing great at the box office with Ralph Breaks the Internet matching our prediction nearly perfectly with a studio estimate of $16.1 million over the weekend, which would give it a running tally of $140.9 million. Internationally, the film has barely opened in half the world earning $18.0 million over the weekend for a total of $117.3 million. This includes a first place debut in Spain with $4.6 million over the five-day weekend. Its next major market isn’t until December 21st when it opens in Japan, while it is a Boxing Day release in Australia.

According to Universal, Dr Seuss’ The Grinch will slip just 15% from last weekend to $15.18 million. If this estimate holds, then it will be in a virtual tie for first place over the full weekend. As for its international numbers, it should earn $25.9 million over the weekend for a running tally of $98.9 million. This includes a first place, $5.24 million debut in 865 theaters in Mexico.

It looks like Creed II bounced back better than expected on Saturday allowing it to stay above $10 million with $10.32 million over the weekend for $96.47 million after three weeks of release.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is doing a little better than expected with an estimated haul of $6.81 million. This is within a rounding error of our prediction, so I’m happy with this result.

If the studio estimates hold, then Bohemian Rhapsody will match our prediction perfectly with $6 million.

There were a couple of big limited releases on this week’s chart with Mary Queen of Scots opening with an estimated $200,000 in 4 theaters, while Vox Lux managed $162,000 in 6. Neither film earned great reviews, so I’m worried about their legs going forward.

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Mary Queen of Scots, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Ralph Breaks The Internet, Bohemian Rhapsody, Creed II, Vox Lux