This is the last weekend before all the behemoth December releases hit theaters so we have yet another slow weekend at the box office that will allow Ralph Breaks the Internet to lead the pack for a third week in a row.
Should Ralph maintain its position, and it most likely will, it will be only the fourth movie released this year to top the box office for three weeks straight. Black Panther, Crazy Rich Asians, and Solo: A Star Wars Story are the other titles to hold that distinction. Ralph will likely see another hit with its drop this weekend but it will recover nicely over the holiday season as even holdovers benefit from the late December box office. I’m calling a weekend of about $16 million.
The Grinch is likely to maintain the second position as it’s still benefitting from being directly linked to the holiday season. The film has seen some solid holds, even with competition from Ralph Breaks the Internet and, if we’re going to get crazy, it COULD possibly leap over Ralph and pull a possible upset this weekend that would prevent Ralph’s three-peat chances. I think it will fall short but I wouldn’t be surprised if it pulled ahead either. As of now, I’m calling a second place finish of $13 million for the weekend.
Creed II is likely to maintain the third spot and is still performing well ahead of what Creed was doing back in 2015. It’s going to need another weekend to cross the $100 million mark but I’m calling a weekend of about $8 million for the well-received sequel.
With studios largely sitting this weekend out, a flurry of awards hopefuls are getting their start at the specialty box office. Roadside Attractions is debuting Ben Is Back, a drama that follows a mother (Julia Roberts) who attempts to help her addict son (Lucas Hedges) after he returns home from rehab. Lucas Hedges father, Peter Hedges, directed the movie, which garnered solid reviews after its Toronto premiere and it is currently fresh on Rotten Tomatoes at 84% as of this writing, with Roberts and Hedges both getting Oscar buzz for their performances. Focus Features has historical drama Mary Queen of Scots starring Saoirse Ronan as the eponymous royal and Margot Robbie as her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. It had its world premiere at AFI Fest and chronicles the rivalry between their two countries as after Scotland and England fall under the rule of Elizabeth I. The film is also receiving solid reviews with a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes of 75%. Rounding out the weekend is Neon’s, Vox Lux. Natalie Portman has received raves for her performance of a pop star/ mother who struggles to balance her controversial career and a teenage daughter after an act of violence demands her attention. The film is yet another limited release that is receiving solid notices from critics with a fresh rating of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. The limited releases will be ones to watch as they begin their start and enter the box office fray.
