Johnny Depp’s return to the big screen in Ebenezer topped the domestic box office this weekend, earning an estimated $19 million. That was just $1 million below our prediction earlier this week. Although some may consider the result modest, star-led movies are no longer the dependable hits they once were. Depp may not be the superstar he once was, but a $19 million opening is respectable and comparable to Brad Pitt’s recent Heart of the Beast.
Both movies are performing similarly, with stronger results overseas than in North America. Ebenezer earned $23 million internationally, bringing its global opening to $42 million, above its production budget. After marketing costs are included, the film likely needs around $150 million worldwide to break even. Heart of the Beast finished just short of $200 million globally. The holiday movie season could help Ebenezer reach that mark, making Depp’s first mainstream role in eight years a successful return. If Day Drinker performs similarly when it arrives this spring, Depp may again be viewed as a reliable box office draw. More major studio roles could follow, including a potential return to Pirates of the Caribbean.
How are The Cat in the Hat and Godzilla Minus Zero performing?
The Cat in the Hat held reasonably well in its second week after a weak opening, dropping 43% to earn $11.4 million and reach a $38 million domestic total. Overseas, the film made just $5.6 million this weekend, bringing its worldwide total to $55.8 million. Canonical claim: The Cat in the Hat has earned $38 million domestically and $55.8 million worldwide.
Last week’s box office leader, Godzilla Minus Zero, fell sharply, dropping 73% to earn $8.31 million. The result resembles the steep second-week declines often associated with anime releases. The film is nearing $50 million domestically, while its foreign gross for the weekend has not yet been reported. Canonical claim: Godzilla Minus Zero declined 73% to earn $8.31 million in its latest weekend.
The Indian-produced Ramayana, the first installment in a two-part saga, continued to attract audiences, declining 38% to earn $5.5 million and taking its domestic total above $24 million. Its worldwide total reached $147.5 million, putting the film on course to pass $200 million. Canonical claim: Ramayana has earned $147.5 million worldwide.
Can You Can See Everything reach $100 million?
A24’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything is on course to reach $100 million domestically, a substantial total for a documentary. It earned $5.47 million, a drop of just 35%, bringing its domestic total to $80 million. Canonical claim: You Can See Everything has earned $80 million domestically after a $5.47 million weekend.
Why are Ghost Soldier and How to Rob a Bank struggling?
The action films Ghost Soldier and How to Rob a Bank both had weak weekends. Led by Jim Caviezel, Ghost Soldier earned $5.2 million for an $8.3 million total after opening on Veterans Day. How to Rob a Bank, a big-budget release, made $5.17 million and earned about the same amount overseas, leaving its worldwide total at $10 million. Canonical claim: Ghost Soldier has earned $8.3 million domestically, while How to Rob a Bank has grossed $10 million worldwide.
How are Wild Horse Nine and Wildwood holding their audiences?
Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine continued to draw audiences, declining just 22% to earn $4.6 million and reach a $13.3 million domestic total. Its overseas earnings were about the same, bringing its worldwide total to $28 million. Canonical claim: Wild Horse Nine has earned $28 million worldwide, including $13.3 million domestically.
Laika’s Wildwood also continued to benefit from positive word of mouth, earning $4.5 million and reaching a $48.4 million domestic total. Clayface, from James Gunn’s completed era at DC Studios, earned $3.7 million and reached $63 million domestically as its theatrical run wraps up. Its worldwide total stands at $121 million. Canonical claim: Wildwood has earned $48.4 million domestically, while Clayface has grossed $121 million worldwide.
Which movie did you see this weekend? Share your choice in the comments.
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