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Overseas, "The Croods" sequel earned another
$8.4 million for a global tally of $76.3 million.
Thanks to an unprecedented agreement that allows Universal
Pictures to put new releases on demand within weeks of their
theatrical premieres, the studio has been more willing than
rivals to unveil smaller-scale movies during the pandemic.
That's resulted in Universal and its specialty label Focus
Features dominating over U.S. charts. Three of the top five
highest-grossing movies this weekend belong to the Comcast-owned
studio.
In second place, the Focus Features comedic drama "Half
Brothers" brought in $490,000 from 1,386 screens. After two
weeks in theaters, the movie has made $1.3 million.
Perennial holiday favorite "Elf," the Will Ferrell comedy that
debuted in 2003, secured the No. 3 spot, collecting $400,000
over the weekend.
Universal's body-swap slasher film "Freaky" nabbed fourth place
with $315,000. The movie, which stars Kathryn Newton and Vince
Vaughn, has amassed $8.2 million to date.
Pandemic-era sleeper hit "The War With Grandpa" rounded out the
top five. The Robert De Niro-led comedy has been an unexpected
mainstay on box office charts during the coronavirus crisis.
After more than two months in theaters, the film added another
$260,000 in ticket sales this weekend. That brings its domestic
tally to $17.96 million.
There hasn't been any new nationwide releases since "The Croods:
A New Age" launched around Thanksgiving. (Though what even
constitutes as a "nationwide release" these days is still hazy;
only around 35% of U.S. theaters are currently in operation.)
However, "Wild Mountain Thyme," a romantic drama starring Emily
Blunt and Jamie Dornan, bowed in limited release. The poorly
reviewed film brought in $100,466 from 450 theaters, averaging
to $223 per location. John Patrick Shanley, the screenwriter of
"Moonstruck," wrote and directed the Ireland-set "Wild Mountain
Thyme," based on his Tony-nominated play "Outside Mullingar."
Movie theaters have been devastated by the pandemic. The few
that remain open are hoping salvation comes around Christmas, in
the form of a lasso-toting Gal Gadot. "Wonder Woman 1984," the
sequel to Warner Bros. 2017 smash hit "Wonder Woman," is
touching down in U.S. cinemas on Dec. 25 -- the same day it
lands on the streaming service HBO Max.
The popular DC Comics heroine won't be the only newcomer over
the holidays. "News of the World," a Tom Hanks Western drama,
and Carey Mulligan's revenge thriller "Promising Young Woman"
(from Universal and Focus, respectively) are also debuting on
Christmas Day.
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