Holiday theater counts: Avatar Way of Water holds off three new contenders to remain widest release

December 22, 2022

As the Christmas holiday approaches, there are plenty of options for movie-goers as three new high-profile films arrive to the big screen this week. After accruing over $134 million in its opening weekend in North America, Avatar: the Way of Water currently enjoys a six-day domestic total of $183 million, with $426 million from overseas markets, for global earnings so far of $609 million. The film retains its opening-weekend count of 4,202 theaters, once again making it the widest release. While Way of Water should have no problem winning the weekend box office, a bevy of new releases look to provide an assortment of viewing opportunities for nearly every movie taste.

Playing in 4,099 movie houses, the widest of the new releases this week is Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The film opened on Wednesday and seized $3.2 million on its first day. The animated adventure film is a stand-alone sequel to 2011’s Puss in Boots, which scored just short of $550 million worldwide over its four-month run. Voice cast for the film include Antonio Banderas as the titular character, while Salma Hayek and Harvey Guillén provide the voices for his friends, Kitty Softpaws, and Perrito, respectively.

Also making its theatrical debut this week is the Whitney Houston biopic, Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody. Starting out in 3,625 cinemas, the film charts the career of Whitney Houston, with Naomi Ackie starring as the pop music icon. Directed by Kasi Lemmons, the film features Stanley Tucci and Clarke Peters as Houston’s producer Clive Davis and her father, John Houston, respectively.

Making its entrance in 3,343 venues this week is the latest from Paramount Pictures in Babylon. Showcasing a talented ensemble cast including Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, the 1920s-set drama traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

After opening in six locations on December 9, Brendan Fraser’s The Whale expanded into a wide 603 theaters on Wednesday and collected $682,596 from its first day of expansion, bringing the film’s total to $1,284,182. Fraser has been nominated for Best Actor for the 80th Golden Globe Awards and the 28th Critics’ Choice Awards for his portrayal of an obese college professor.

Coming to cinemas in limited release this week is crime-drama, Women Talking. Showing in eight venues, the film chronicles the women of an isolated religious community who must grapple with reconciling a brutal reality with their faith. Showing in two theaters each this week is the 1950s, London set drama Living, starring Bill Nighy, and Corsage, starring Vicky Krieps.

Theater Counts for December 23

Theater Counts for December 30

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts, Avatar, Brad Pitt, Brendan Fraser, Stanley Tucci, Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Whitney Houston, Kasi Lemmons, Bill Nighy, Clarke Peters, Margot Robbie, Vicky Krieps, John Houston, Clive Davis, Naomi Ackie, Harvey Guillen