Theater counts: Wish holds off a cluster of newcomers to remain widest release

November 30, 2023

The long holiday weekend saw three films vying for number one at the box office, with The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes taking the prize over both the three- and five-day weekend, relegating new arrivals, Napoleon, and Wish to their second and third place spots respectively. This week brings about five new wide releases including Beyoncé’s own concert film with the release of RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCÉ

After the massive success of TAYLOR SWIFT | THE ERA’S TOUR, Beyoncé’s concert film charts the mega superstar’s development and execution of her popular Renaissance World Tour, highlighting her seventh studio album of the same name. AMC Theatres Distribution will once again handle the domestic release in 2,539 cinemas throughout North America, and the film will screen in 94 territories around the globe.

The second-widest film to debut this week is the latest from up and coming distributor, Angel Studios with the launch of Christian fiction thriller, The Shift. Starting out in 2,450 locations, the film stars a bevy of well known actors including Sean Astin, Kristoffer Polaha, and Neal McDonough.

Also opening in wide release this week is Godzilla Minus One. The monster film set in the 1940s has collected $23 million overseas so far and looks to add to that in its opening domestic weekend in an estimated 2,300 locations. It is the 37th film in the long running Godzilla franchise.

Making its debut in 1,870 movie houses is the John Woo-directed action-thriller, Silent Night. The film follows a father who witnesses his young son die when caught in a gang’s crossfire on Christmas Eve. While recovering from a wound that costs him his voice, the man makes vengeance his life’s mission and embarks on a punishing training regimen in order to avenge his son’s death.

Lastly, Indian action feature Animal makes its way into North American theaters. Beginning its run in 700 venues, the 201-minute film is one of the longest Indian movies ever made.

Rounding out the top five widest releases this week is The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, coming in with 3,691 theaters. Occupying the third spot is Trolls: Band Together, still widely available in 3,613 locations, and lastly, Napoleon retains its mid-week opening count of 3,500 cinemas as it enters its second weekend.

Next week looks to be much slower with only one wide release on the schedule as the Japanese animated fantasy film The Boy and the Heron releases. We will update those counts when they become available.

Note: The theater count for Godzilla Minus One is an estimate from Box Office Pro.

Theater Counts for December 1

Estimates for December 8

Filed under: Theater Counts, Godzilla, Hunger Games, Trolls, Sean Astin, Neal McDonough, John Woo, Kristoffer Polaha