411 Box Office Report: Encanto Tops Quiet Weekend, Ghostbusters: Afterlife Tops $100 Million

It was a second week at the top for Encanto this weekend, as it took advantage of a sleepy box office to claim #1. The Disney animated film grossed $12.7 million this weekend, down 53% from last weekend’s three-day take. That’s a fairly solid hold all things considered, bringing the film to $58 million domestically and $116.1 million worldwide.

Those numbers put the family film on course for a likely profit. It has already reached the worldwide box office of Raya ands the Last Dragon, with the caveat of course that Raya released in a very different part of the pandemic. Encanto is performing very well overseas and that should lift it to a solid profit margin, even with a $120 million budget. Domestically it is still looking likely to approach $100 million by the end of its run.

Coming in at #2 was Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which brought in $10.4 million in its third frame. That’s a 57% drop from last weekend, putting the film at $102.2 million domestically and $145.1 million worldwide. Sony is quite happy with the results here, as the film cost a relatively light (for CGI-heavy blockbusters) $75 million. Afterlife should be able to end its domestic run at around $125 million or more.

House of Gucci slipped 53% in its second weekend, as the fact-based drama took in $6.7 million. That’s not quite what United Artists was hoping for, but it’s not completely unexpected either. The star-heavy movie felt the drop of the post-holiday season and isn’t in horrible shape as it positions itself for award season, where it’s hopeful for attention to Lady Gaga and Jared Leto among others.

As of now, the Ridley Scott-directed film is up to $33.6 million domestically and $67.2 million worldwide. While the $75 million production budget will be a substantial hill for it to climb, it’s not an insurmountable feat especially if award season is kind. House of Gucci is likely to end its domestic run at around $50 million domestically and will need overseas grosses to hit profit while in theaters.

A faith-based effort come in at #4, as Fathom Events’ Christmas with the Chosen: The Messengers claimed $4.1 million. The special in-cinema event is now up to $8.8 million and is the best-selling such screening in Fathom’s history. No word on the budget, but there’s no way it was remotely expensive so this is big money for Loaves & Fishes Productions and Angel Studios.

Marvel’s Eternals continues to hold on okay, down 50% in its fifth weekend, to $3.9 million. The MCU ensemble film has now grossed $156.5 million domestically and $384.3 million worldwide. It has surpassed Black Widow’s worldwide gross, with Shang-Chi’s $$418.4 million not out of reach. Even against a $200 million budget, Marvel and Disney are satisfied with this film which should finish out at around $170 million domestically.

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City followed up its weak opening last weekend with a pretty typical horror fall of 50%. The franchise reboot nailed down $2.7 million to bring its domestic total to $13.2 million. It’s not in awful shape thanks to worldwide grosses, which currently stand at $24.3 million. Whether it will make back its $25 million budget in theaters isn’t yet clear. Domestically it still looks to be on track for a final total of $18 million to $20 million.

Dune was down just 13% in its sixth weekend with $1.8 million. The film’s strong hold is thanks in part to a boost to its IMAX screens, which puts the sci-fi film at $104.6 million domestically and $382.2 million worldwide. The action drama is still on course for about $110 million domestically by the end of its run and will be profitable once all revenue streams are counted in, even with its $165 million budget plus marketing.

Clifford the Big Red Dog freefell in its fourth weekend, down 64% to $1.8 million. The Paramount family film is now at $45.7 million domestically and $51.2 million worldwide, plus whatever revenue is being counted off its Paramount+ day and date release. The film won’t be a hit in theaters, and is looking at perhaps $55 million domestically from a $64 million production budget.

King Richard also dropped hard, down 63% in its third weekend to $1.2 million. The acclaimed Will Smith drama is a dud at the box office with $13.4 million domestically and $21.6 million against a reported $50 million budget. That’s mitigated by however WarnerMedia counts its HBO Max revenue streams, and the film might find new life as award season kicks in, but it’s not looking great right now.

FUNimation’s Sword Art Online: Progressive – Aria of a Starless Night came in at #10 with $1.1 million from 840 theaters. That is an okay result for the film, though behind the opening grosses of fellow 2021 FUNimation films Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission ($6.2 million) and Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train ($22.8 million). Sword Art Online has a total of $1.1 million domestically and $12 million worldwide.

Next weekend sees a much-needed infusion of new (albeit classic) blood to the box office as Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story opens. The musical remake looks likely to take around $20 million. Meanwhile, sports drama National Champions should target a high single-digits start.

BOX OFFICE TOP TEN (Three-Day Domestic Numbers)
1. Encanto – $12.7 million ($58 million total, $116.1 million WW)
2. Ghostbusters: Afterlife – $10.4 million ($102.2 million total, $145.1 million WW)
3. House of Gucci – $6.8 million ($33.6 million total, $67.2 million WW)
4. Christmas with the Chosen: The Messengers – $4.1 million ($8.8 million, $8.8 million WW)
5. Eternals – $3.9 million ($156.2 million total, $384.3 million WW)
6. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City – $2.7 million ($11.2 million total, $24.3 million WW)
7. Dune – $1.8 million ($104.6 million total, $382.2 million WW)
8. Clifford the Big Red Dog – $1.8 million ($45.7 million total, $51.2 million WW)
9. King Richard – $1.3 million ($13.4 million total, $21.6 million WW)
10. Sword Art Online: Progressive – Aria of a Starless Night – $1.1 million ($1.1 million total, $12 million WW)