As we enter another weekend in the film industry, it is clear that the theatrical marketplace is in a state of decline. With no significant studio-wide new releases, the box office is set to reach a new low, potentially surpassing the bottom figures of previous years. The impact of the ongoing strikes has undoubtedly affected the industry, with last weekend already marking a year-to-date low. However, it is important to analyze the current standings and assess the performance of the existing films in theaters.
At the forefront of the box office battle this weekend are Paramount’s “Mean Girls” and Amazon MGM Studios’ “The Beekeeper.” Both films are entering their third weekends and are competing for the top spot with identical earnings of $6.4 million. Interestingly, “The Beekeeper” managed to outperform “Mean Girls” in daily grosses throughout the week, thereby creating a sense of unpredictability. Despite a predicted 45% decline from its second weekend earnings, “Mean Girls” is expected to maintain a running total of $59.9 million. On the other hand, “The Beekeeper” is projected to experience a more considerable drop of 26% from the previous weekend, concluding with a total of $41.2 million by Sunday.
Warner Bros.’ “Wonka” takes the third position in its seventh weekend, earning $5.8 million at 3,014 theaters. Although experiencing a modest decline of 14%, the film has achieved an impressive running total of $195 million. It is worth noting that Illumination/Universal’s “Migration,” which was initially doubted by industry rivals, is expected to surpass $101 million in domestic earnings by the end of the weekend. Despite a 10% decline from the previous weekend, the animated film is holding its ground in fourth place with a 3-day total of $4.9 million.
Sony’s “Anyone but You,” now in its sixth weekend, maintains a steady presence in the top five. The Sydney Sweeney-Glen Powell romantic comedy is predicted to earn $4.8 million, representing an 11% decline from the previous weekend. With a running total of $71.1 million, the film has successfully surpassed the earnings of its post-pandemic counterpart, “Ticket to Paradise,” starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, which achieved a final tally of $68.2 million in the U.S./Canada.
The current state of the weekend box office reflects a challenging period for the film industry. With strikes impacting new releases and causing a decline in overall earnings, the outlook remains uncertain. However, amidst the struggle, a few films have managed to perform admirably, whereas others have fallen short of expectations. As we navigate these unique circumstances, it is crucial to monitor the box office closely and adapt to the changing dynamics of the theatrical marketplace.