Theater counts: Wonka makes a sweet entrance in 4,203 theaters

December 14, 2023

In terms of box office competition, last weekend brought about a plethora of films vying for that number one spot, with newcomer The Boy and the Heron leading the way with just over $13 million in its opening three days. Fighting for second spot was The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and Godzilla Minus One, with the former outpacing the latter $9.3 million to $8.6 million. This week a beloved literary and movie character comes back to the big screen to tell the story of his youth.

After a slower than usual week at the domestic box office, this week should see a boost in the way of Wonka’s highly anticipated debut in cinemas. The film was released in 37 overseas markets last weekend, and scored $43.2 million in its opening salvo, while ranking number one in 32 of those territories. The musical fantasy origin story of Willy Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet will begin its North American theatrical run in 4,203 cinemas. That count makes Wonka the widest opening film since July’s Barbenheimer weekend, when Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One, and Barbie were available in 4,321 and 4,243 theaters, respectively.

Rounding out the top five this week is last week’s widest release, the previously mentioned The Hunger Games, still showing in a solid 3,291 venues as it enters its fifth week. Next up is Trolls: Band Together, playing in 3,154 locations this week. The fourth-largest release this week is Wish, still showing in 3,100 cinemas. Lastly, adding 82 locations for its second week, is Godzilla Minus One, available for viewing in 2,622 theaters.

Next week looks to be a fun one for theater buffs as five new wide releases make their theatrical launch just in time for the Christmas Holiday. There will be something for nearly everyone as an action feature, a romantic comedy, a wrestling biopic, a superhero film, and an animated movie about migrating ducks all come to theaters starting December 22nd. Anyone But You, the latest romantic comedy from Sony Pictures is expected to arrive in approximately 2,800 movie houses.

Note: The theater count for The Boy and the Heron is an estimate from Box Office Pro.

Theater Counts for December 15

Estimates for December 22

Filed under: Theater Counts, Hunger Games, Trolls, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Timothée Chalamet