Sony’s “Jumanji: The Next Level” is earning a solid start on this pre-“Rise of Skywalker” weekend,” as it is currently estimated for a $50 million opening from 4,227 screens.
The previous “Jumanji” film, “Welcome to the Jungle,” opened on a Wednesday after the release of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and earned a 6-day opening of $71.9 million through Christmas Day. It went on to endure exceedingly well in theaters, grossing $404.5 million in North America and $962 million worldwide.
While “The Next Level” isn’t expected to match that total, Sony is hoping for a similar pattern among family audiences during its theatrical run. While a steep drop next weekend is expected thanks to “Star Wars,” the goal for “The Next Level” is to be the second film that family and general audiences go to during the holiday season. Critics have been fairly positive with a 67% Rotten Tomatoes score, and audience reception has been strong with an A- on CinemaScore and 3.5/5 on Postrak.
In second is Disney’s “Frozen II” with an estimated $19 million in its fourth weekend, which would push its total to $366 million. The Disney sequel headed into the weekend with a global total of $931 million, meaning it could become Disney’s sixth billion-dollar release of the year by the end of this weekend. Lionsgate’s “Knives Out” takes third with an estimated $9.1 million in its third weekend, giving it a $78.8 million total.
Completing the top five are two new releases that are both performing below pre-weekend projections: Universal/Blumhouse’s “Black Christmas” and Warner Bros.’ “Richard Jewell.” Both films are projected for a $4.5 million opening after being projected by trackers for a $10 million start.
While disappointing for both films, its mid-December release means that there’s still a chance for “Richard Jewell” to find success. Non-family audiences sometimes are slow to pick up holiday releases, and word of mouth could allow the Clint Eastwood to grab a footing towards the end of the month. Reviews have been solid for the film at 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, while Eastwood’s fans have driven the film to an A on CinemaScore. Success is far less likely for “Black Christmas,” which received 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and a poor D+ on CinemaScore.
9 Christmas Horror Movies That Scared Up Box Office, From 'Gremlins' to 'Black Christmas' (Photos)
A look at top-grossing holiday shock-fests that have inspired ho-ho-horror -- including last year's "Black Christmas" remake.
9. "Silent Night" (2012)
Opening: $9,779
Cumulative: $14,567
Malcolm McDowell, Jaime King and Donal Logue star in the film about a murderous Santa who picks off people one by one.
Anchor Bay
8. "Better Watch Out" (2016)
Opening: $12,569
Cumulative: $20,369
Olivia DeJonge plays a babysitter who must protect a 12-year-old boy after a home invasion while his parents are out at a holiday party.
Well Go
7. "Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale" (2010)
Opening: $9,281
Cumulative: $236,347
The film follows a group of people living near the Korvatunturi mountain who discover the secret behind Santa Claus.
Oscilloscope Pictures
6. "Anna and the Apocalypse" (2018)
Opening: $52,588 Cumulative: $545,597
In this comedic musical with grossout touches, a teenager and her friends ward off the zombie apocalypse when it comes at Christmas-time.
Orion
5. "Silent Night, Deadly Night" (1984)
Opening: $1.4 million Cumulative: $2.5 million
In the slasher film, a young boy loses his parents and years later becomes a spree killer in a Santa costume.
TriStar
4. "Black Christmas" (2019)
Opening: $4.2 million Cumulative: $10.4 million
A second remake of a 1974 Canadian film, starring Imogen Poots, Aleyse Shannon, Lily Donoghue and Brittany O'Grady, this slasher film about sorority sisters fighting off a stalker takes a stab at feminist themes.
Universal
3. "Black Christmas" (2006)
Opening: $3.7 million Cumulative: $16.3 million
Michelle Trachtenberg, Lacey Chabert and Katie Cassidy star in the slasher film about sorority girls getting murdered one by one (a remake of a 1974 Canadian film).
MGM
2. "Krampus" (2015)
Opening: $16.3 million Cumulative: $42.7 million
A boy in a dysfunctional family turns his back on Christmas -- and accidentally unleashes a demon force as a result.
Universal
1. "Gremlins" (1984)
Opening: $12.5 million Cumulative: $148.2 million
The movie follows a young boy who breaks rules and unleashes a horde of mischievous monsters.
Warner Bros.
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Top-grossing holiday shock-fests that have inspired ho-ho-horror — before this month’s ”Black Christmas“ remake
A look at top-grossing holiday shock-fests that have inspired ho-ho-horror -- including last year's "Black Christmas" remake.