Monday 11th of November 2024

Thanksgiving Box Office Recap: 'Hunger Games' Feasts, 'Napoleon' Conquers, but 'Wish' Doesn't Come True

"Thanksgiving Box Office Shake-Up: 'Hunger Games' Reigns, 'Napoleon' Surprises, but 'Wish' Falters"

Anticipation surrounded Disney's "Wish" as the potential ruler of the Thanksgiving weekend box office, but a different narrative unfolded as "The Hunger Games: Songbirds and Snakes" continued its dominance for the second weekend, according to studio estimates on Sunday. Despite the debut of new contenders, including Ridley Scott's "Napoleon," it was the prequel to the "Hunger Games" saga that retained its grip on moviegoers.

"The Hunger Games: Songbirds and Snakes" showcased its staying power by grossing $28.8 million over the weekend and an impressive $42 million over the five-day holiday frame, solidifying its position as the top draw for Thanksgiving moviegoers. In just two weeks, the film has amassed nearly $100 million domestically and a remarkable $200 million globally.

The battle for second place unfolded between "Napoleon" and "Wish," with Scott's epic surpassing expectations by raking in $32.5 million over the five-day weekend and an estimated $20.4 million from Friday through Sunday. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as the French emperor, "Napoleon" secured the top spot globally with $78.8 million, demonstrating the film's unexpected success despite mixed reviews and a lukewarm audience response.

While "Napoleon" marked a triumphant beginning for Apple Studios in the realm of big-budget historical dramas, Disney's "Wish" faced a more challenging start than anticipated. Known for Thanksgiving hits like "Frozen II" and "Ralph Breaks the Internet," Disney Animation releases typically dominate holiday moviegoing. However, "Wish" fell short, bringing in $31.7 million over five days and $19.5 million from Friday through Sunday.

As the box office landscape proves unpredictable, with surprises and disappointments alike, the Thanksgiving weekend showcased the resilience of established franchises and the potential for unexpected contenders to make their mark in the cinematic arena.

"Disney's 'Wish' Faces Mixed Fortunes Amid Thanksgiving Box Office Landscape"

While Disney's "Wish" has managed to surpass the struggles faced by last year's Thanksgiving release, "Strange World," which opened to a lackluster $18.9 million, its performance falls short of the high hopes set for the fairy tale spectacle. Co-written and co-directed by the acclaimed "Frozen" duo, Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and featuring the voices of Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine, "Wish" centers around a wished-upon star and serves as a celebration of Disney's 100th anniversary, brimming with nostalgic callbacks to Disney classics.

Despite its promising premise, "Wish" currently adds to Disney's recent challenges, including the underperformance of "The Marvels," which struggled to gain momentum with a domestic gross of $76.9 million and $110.2 million overseas in three weeks. While the future narrative of "Wish" remains uncertain, drawing parallels to Pixar's "Elemental," which started with a lukewarm $29.6 million in June but later soared to a global gross of nearly $500 million, suggests that the journey for "Wish" is far from over.

The family-oriented market also faced competition from "Trolls Band Together," the DreamWorks and Universal Pictures release that opened a week before Thanksgiving, securing $17.5 million in its second frame and $25.3 million over five days. Additionally, entering wide release over the holiday weekend was Emerald Fennell's "Saltburn," the writer-director's follow-up to the critically acclaimed "Promising Young Woman." Barry Keoghan stars in this intriguing tale of an Oxford student befriended by a wealthy classmate (Jacob Elordi) and invited to his family's country manor.

As the Thanksgiving box office landscape unfolds, "Wish" navigates a mixed trajectory, showcasing both the challenges and potential for redemption in the ever-evolving cinematic realm.

"As the Thanksgiving box office curtains draw to a close, 'Wish' finds itself in a dynamic narrative of challenges and potential redemption within the cinematic tapestry. While surpassing the struggles of its predecessor 'Strange World,' the fairy tale spectacle falls short of the elevated expectations set for it. Despite the creative prowess of the 'Frozen' team and the enchanting celebration of Disney's rich legacy, 'Wish' adds to the studio's recent hurdles, including the lukewarm performance of 'The Marvels.'

However, the storybook of 'Wish' is far from concluded. Drawing parallels to the resilience shown by Pixar's 'Elemental,' which transformed a lukewarm opening into a global success story, there remains room for 'Wish' to find its stride in the weeks to come. The family-oriented competition, including 'Trolls Band Together,' and the entry of Emerald Fennell's 'Saltburn' into wide release, further accentuate the dynamic nature of the Thanksgiving box office landscape.

As audiences continue to navigate a diverse array of cinematic offerings, 'Wish' stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of film success and the enduring appeal of storytelling. Whether it follows in the footsteps of Pixar's comeback or faces its own unique trajectory, the journey of 'Wish' in the coming weeks will undoubtedly add another chapter to the evolving narrative of the cinematic experience."