The Hunger Games prequel, 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' has dominated the Thanksgiving weekend box office for the second week in a row, outperforming other major releases with a domestic total of $42 million over the five-day holiday period. The film has garnered a strong total with $98.3 million in North America and an impressive global haul of $197.2 million. Meanwhile, Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon,' starring Joaquin Phoenix, debuted to a solid $20.4 million in North America, accumulating a worldwide total of $78.8 million despite its steep $200 million production cost.
Disney's animated feature 'Wish' opened to lower than expected numbers, earning $19.5 million in North America for its opening weekend, trailing behind previous Disney Thanksgiving releases like 'Frozen 2' and 'Coco'. 'Wish' is described as a film that plays it safe, lacking the innovation of earlier Disney titles. 'Trolls Band Together' and Eli Roth's 'Thanksgiving' took the fourth and fifth spots in the box office respectively, with 'Tolls Band Together' making $17.5 million and 'Thanksgiving' scoring $7.1 million over the five-day span.
These box office results demonstrate a competitive landscape with 'The Hunger Games' prequel leading the charge. Audiences continue to show interest in blockbuster franchises and historical epics, while the performance of new animated films during the holiday season remains a point of discussion as they compete with legacy sequels and established cinematic universes.
Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
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The Hunger Games prequel's steady hold at the top spot highlights the enduring appeal of well-established franchises, while 'Wish' serves as a reminder that even giants like Disney aren't immune to the whims of the box office when they play it too safe. It's clear that the nostalgia factor and built-in audiences are tough competitors for original content, especially in a landscape where big names and sequels are king.
The Hunger Games saga clearly still has that arrow-like grip on audiences, hitting the box office bullseye with its prequel magic. In contrast, Disney's Wish shows that even the House of Mouse isn't immune to a bit of box office frost when they don't bring that usual creative sparkle.
The Hunger Games prequel is clearly striking a chord with fans, keeping the franchise's flame alive and well at the box office, showcasing the enduring pull of well-established universes. Meanwhile, Disney's Wish serves as a reminder that not all that glitters is box office gold, even for a giant like Disney—sometimes you've gotta break the mold to make a splash.