The Thanksgiving holiday has become the arena for a classic box office showdown, with Disney‘s much-anticipated animated adventure, “Wish,” battling it out against Lionsgate’s dystopian prequel, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” Meanwhile, Apple Original Productions’ epic “Napoleon” is proving to be a dark horse in the race. The competition is fierce, and while there’s good news for some, there’s a tinge of disappointment for others.
Contents
1. The Battle Unfolds:
“Wish,” featuring the voices of Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine, was expected to dominate the Thanksgiving box office. However, the reality is shaping up differently. The film pulled in a lackluster $3.9 million over the holiday, bringing its total to $12.2 million. The projected $35 million over the five-day period falls short of the blockbuster expectations usually associated with Disney. In contrast, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” maintained its strong performance, raking in $5.9 million on Thanksgiving and reaching a domestic haul of $69.6 million. The prequel, set before the era of Katniss Everdeen, is projected to earn $42 million over the holiday, securing its grip on the box office throne.
2. Budget Matters:
The financial stakes are high for both Disney and Lionsgate. While “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” cost $100 million to produce, a relative bargain in the current era of budget-busting films, Disney invested a hefty $200 million in “Wish.” The latter needs to exhibit endurance to turn a profit, and its current performance leaves much to be desired.
3. The Unexpected Contender:
In a surprising turn, Apple Original Productions’ “Napoleon,” directed by Ridley Scott, is making waves. Costing a substantial $200 million, the epic earned $4.4 million on Thanksgiving, securing second place. Projections suggest it will gross $33 million over the holiday period and is set to earn over $70 million globally. However, Apple, with its colossal market cap of nearly $3 trillion, seems less concerned about immediate profitability and more focused on generating excitement for its streaming service, Apple TV+.
4. Overall Box Office Landscape:
Beyond the head-to-head battles, other films in the Thanksgiving lineup are making their mark. Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls Band Together” secured fourth place with $2.6 million on Thanksgiving, on track to earn $23.2 million over the holiday. Eli Roth’s holiday-themed horror film, “Thanksgiving,” from TriStar Pictures and Spyglass Media, earned $2 million on Thanksgiving, bringing its total to $16.9 million. Projections suggest it will make $10 million over the long holiday, ending with a domestic gross of $23.1 million.
5. The Thanksgiving Resurgence:
This Thanksgiving period is anticipated to result in ticket sales of $190 million, marking a significant rebound since the upheaval caused by Covid. While this is a substantial improvement, it falls short of the high-water mark set in 2018 at $315.6 million, when films like “Ralph Breaks the Internet” and “Creed II” drew massive crowds.
In conclusion, this Thanksgiving’s box office battle is a mix of surprises, disappointments, and resilient contenders. As the holiday season unfolds, the fate of these films will undoubtedly shape the narrative of the year-end box office.
