Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Box Office: Hedgehog Eats Lion, Monster Mashes, Dylan Rocks, Nicole Kidman Steams It Up

Christmas weekend at the box office brought a hedgehog to the top of the heap over a lion.

“Sonic 3” narrowly snaked “Mufasa” as family friendly films ruled. They finished at number 1 and 2 with $38 million and $37 million respectively.

The monstrous “Nosferatu” came in third with $21 million.

Among the smaller releases, “A Complete Unknown” about Bob Dylan with Timothee Chalamet socked away $11.6 million bringing its two week total to $23 million.

Nicole Kidman’s steamy “Babygirl” laid out $4.4 million on the bedpost — although actually I don’t remember many beds in this one. A lot of floors came in handy.

“Wicked” is still out there somewhere, but on Tuesday night the witches of Oz head to home video with $425 million tucked away. It’s still playing in over 3,100 theaters, and those owners may be a little disappointed to see Glinda and Elphaba leave town. Oh well. They’ll be back next year.

Where does this leave the Oscars? Set for March 2nd, by then few if any nominees will still be playing in theaters. The times they are a-changing!

PS What’s not taking off at all? “The Brutalist.” Brady Corbet’s epic was down this week by 24% from last, playing in 7 theaters. The three and half hour run time (with an additional 15 minute intermission) doesn’t help. Total so far $687,444. Brutal. Right now, the trend is down. Can it launch once it’s in more theaters? Maybe audiences will be parched for material in January. They shouldn’t miss Adrien Brody!

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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