It wasn’t a great weekend at the box office.
First of all, the new “Hunger Games” came in at $44 million. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” was a movie no one really wanted in the first place. The last “Hunger Games” movie had an opening weekend of $100 million in 2015. This one had none of the original cast and not too much publicity. The cast — it’s a weird, eclectic mix of people selected at random.
“The Marvels” dropped between 78% and 80% from its opening weekend. Now it’s an official disaster for Marvel and Disney. After its long run at number 1, Marvel is truly in some trouble. No Marvel has had a second week failure like this one. Disney overlords have reason to worry as their animated film, “Wish,” may need prayers as well.
A24’s “Priscilla” from Sofia Coppola has also expired. It’s as dead as Elvis. After four weeks, “Priscilla” has banked just $17 million. It’s off more than 50% from last week. I do think the audience for an Elvis movie without his songs and just a year after the huge hit, “Elvis,” was too much for “Priscilla.” I haven’t see it (A24 doesn’t show me their movies) but the Presley audience doesn’t want to see their idol as an abuser.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” — which will reap lots of awards action — is up to $62 million which isn’t bad considering how it’s been marketed and distributed. Also, it can’t be compared to “Oppenheimer,” which fed off the “Barbie” connection. The “Oppenheimer” box office was a fluke. The film will battle “Flower Moon” for Oscars.
Who gets the last laugh? Taylor Swift? The Eras Concert Tour movie is up to $175 million. Playing through New Years it will hit $200 million easily. No muss, no fuss. Travis Kelce better put a ring on that finger fast.
