Despite the ongoing Hollywood labor stoppage, the 2023 domestic box office continues its impressive rally, surging past $6 billion, marking a remarkable 22% increase compared to the same period last year (January-August).
This weekend’s estimated box office for all movies stands at a promising $178 million. Notably, four movies have crossed the $25 million mark this weekend, a rare feat that was last witnessed during Thanksgiving weekend in 2018.
Leading the pack is “Barbie,” reigning as the box office queen with a solid $53 million in its third weekend, inching closer to the half-billion-dollar milestone, poised to reach $459.4 million domestically, according to Deadline. Moreover, the global cumulative gross is about to surpass an impressive $1 billion, making it a major success.
In an unexpected turn of events, “The Meg 2: The Trench” secured second place with an outstanding $30 million opening weekend for Warner Bros. The film’s marketing campaign, leveraging its established IP from the first “Meg” movie, proved successful, highlighting the potential of sequel releases.
Following closely behind is “Oppenheimer,” the historical drama from Universal, securing third place with a strong $28.7 million. The intense competition for second place between the three films simmered down, with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” taking a commendable fourth place at $28 million over the three-day weekend.
Paramount’s success with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is seen as a significant win for Brian Robbins, the studio’s administration, as they continue to revive and expand their franchises.
The success of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” can be attributed to its animated format, earning an 88% positive audience score and a 70% recommend, with enthusiastic support from kids under 12.
Major studios are finding success with both established franchises and original releases, underscoring the resilience of the film industry amidst challenging times.
