The major Hollywood studios always knew the post-presidential Nov. 8-10 weekend was going to be especially quiet this year as they avoided releasing big event films, both because of jacked-up ad rates and worries of civil unrest if Republican candidate Donald Trump didn’t win (images of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol after Trump’s loss in 2020 have not been forgotten). As it turned out, Trump defeated Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
The lack of a big new title on the marquee — two years ago on this weekend, Disney unfurled Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, for example, followed by The Marvels last year — allowed Sony’s Venom: The Last Dance to stay atop the domestic box office chart in its third weekend with an estimated $16.2 million from 3,905 theaters for a domestic tally of $114.8 million and a huge $394.2 million globally, including $82.8 million from China.
Aside from the major studios, not everyone stayed on the sidelines in the U.S. and there’s a close race underway for second place between Lionsgate and Kingdom Films faith-tinged Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which is reporting an estimated opening of $11.1 million from 3,020 theaters, and A24’s psychological horror pic Heretic, which is reporting an estimated $11 million from 3,221 cinemas. (Christmas Pageant‘s tally includes $2.2 million from incentivized screenings, meaning for every ticket bought, a person was given an additional free ticket.)
The exact order will be determined Monday morning when final weekend numbers are tallied, but Pageant appears to have an edge. Directed by The Chosen filmmaker Dallas Jenkins, the well-reviewed adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s 1972 children’s book about six unruly siblings stars Judy Greer, Pete Holmes and Lauren Graham. It played best in conservative states, and earned a perfect A CinemaScore.
In recent weeks, indie outfit A24 changed their minds and decided to go ahead and open Heretic nationwide despite post-election concerns. Its debut marks Hugh Grant’s best opening as a leading man in more than 20 years thanks to great reviews and a huge turnout out among moviegoers between ages 18 and 35, which made up 67 percent of all ticket buyers.
From filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Wood, Heretic received a C+ CineamScore, which isn’t an uncommon grade for a horror pic. The cat-and-mouse thriller follows two young Morman missionaries (Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East) who knock on the wrong door.
Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot came in fourth in its second weekend with $6.7 million from 3,051 locations for a domestic tally of $130.9 million and $292 million globally, followed by Paramount’s Smile 2 with $5 million from 2,822 sites for a domestic total of $60.5 million and $123.6 million worldwide.
Among Oscar contenders, specialty pic Conclave continued to stand out, earning $4.1 million in its third weekend from 2,283 cinemas for domestic tally of $21.5 million.
Neon’s Anora is another standout, earning $2.5 million as it upped its theater count from 851 to 1,104 locations. Domestically, it has grossed $7.2 million. Universal International, which is handling the film overseas, is reporting an early foreign total of $5 million.
More to come.
