The Force was strong this weekend as Star Wars: The Last Jedi delivered the second largest opening weekend in history.
The highly anticipated sequel brought in an expected but very impressive $220 million during its opening weekend. This is second all-time only behind 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens which brought in $247.9 million. The $45 million that Last Jedi brought in Thursday night helped launch the film to an impressive opening weekend.
The film also has some impressive statistics including being the second film ever to gross over $100 million on opening day, the second largest opening day ever and one of the fastest films to ever reach $100 million. The audience score for The Last Jedi is currently at the lowest ever for a Star Wars film (56%) but it doesn't look like this will hurt the film’s box office performance. It looks like this film will have no problem reaching $700-800 million domestically.
Second place went to the new animated film Ferdinand, which opened with $13.3 million. This is a decent opening considering it went up against one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Coco fell two spots to third place with $10 million and crossed $150 million domestically. The film is also having success internationally as its worldwide gross is approaching $450 million.
Wonder finishes in fourth place with $5.4 million and is approaching $110 million domestically. Justice League rounds out the top five with $4.2 million and is close to passing $220 million domestically. It looks like it might be tough for Justice League to pass $250 million domestically.
Daddy’s Home 2 is approaching $100 million domestically. Thor: Ragnarok is closing in on $310 million domestically.
The Disaster Artist ($2.6 million), Murder on the Orient Express ($2.5 million) and Lady Bird ($2.1 million) round out the top ten this weekend.
I still think The Last Jedi will repeat as box office champion even with five new releases opening this weekend. Wednesday will have two releases including Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Friday will have three more releases including Downsizing and Pitch Perfect 3.
Weekend Gross by Distributor:
Disney: $233 million (+208.4%)
20th Century Fox: $15.8 million (+10.4%)
Lionsgate: $5.5 million (-3.2%)
A24: $4.8 million (-5.3%)
Warner Bros.: $4.2 million (-5.4%)
Paramount Pictures: $3.8 million (-2.3%)
Fox Searchlight: $3.4 million (+0.5%)
Sony Pictures: $1.9 million (-2.6%)
Next week’s openings: The Greatest Showman (Dec. 20), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Dec. 20), Downsizing, Father Figures, Pitch Perfect 3