With no new wide releases out this weekend, November’s family films were left to contend for the top spot for one more weekend, and Illumination/Universal’s “The Grinch” — the earliest of the family releases — may end up being the highest grossing film of that month.
Despite being in its fifth week, “Grinch” is neck-and-neck with Disney’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet” for the top spot on this weekend’s charts. “Ralph” is holding the lead with $16.2 million in its third weekend, while “Grinch” has $15.1 million in its fifth.
“Ralph” had the second-highest Thanksgiving opening weekend two weeks ago, just beating out that of Disney’s 2016 Thanksgiving entry “Moana.” Since then, “Ralph” has been showing numbers consistent with “Moana,” and is currently 3 percent behind the pace of that film with a domestic total of $140 million. If that trajectory continues, the “Wreck-It Ralph” sequel should finish its theatrical run with a domestic total of $240-250 million.
But “Grinch” could end up with a much higher box office total. Despite facing heavy competition in the past few weeks in the form of “Ralph” and WB’s “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” the Dr. Seuss adaptation has racked up $223 million domestically through five weekends.
Now that it has weathered the openings of two family films, “Grinch” enters December as the main Christmas-themed offering, which should allow it to continue to perform strongly in the latter stage of its run, even as more family films like “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “Mary Poppins Returns” hit theaters in the coming weeks.
In third this weekend is MGM’s “Creed II,” which is approaching the $100 million mark after making $10.3 million in its third weekend to bring its total to $96.4 million. “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is in fourth with $6.8 million in its fourth weekend and a total of $145 million, 27 percent behind the pace of the first “Fantastic Beasts.”
Completing the top five is “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which stays in fifth for one more weekend with $6 million, giving the Fox film a total of $173 million after six weekends. Outside the top five, Universal/DreamWorks/Participant Media’s “Green Book” has earned a $3.9 million third weekend, matching its performance last weekend and pushing its total to just under $20 million.
The Peter Farrelly drama earned five Golden Globe nominations this week, and Universal is hoping that the awards season will allow “Green Book” to leg out and find some profitability. The same won’t be said for Fox’s “Widows,” a film that was critically acclaimed but shut out of the Golden Globes and still hasn’t made back its $42 million budget. The Steve McQueen crime film made $3.1 million this weekend for a total of $38 million.
Finally, WB’s “A Star Is Born” received a boost in its 10th weekend thanks to a one-week engagement on 375 IMAX screens, earning $2.4 million to bring its domestic total to $197 million. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s remake of the Hollywood classic is fulfilling its role as an expected major awards contender, earning five Golden Globe nominations this week.
Dr. Seuss Major Movie and TV Adaptations, Ranked From Worst to First (Photos)
Oh, the places you'll go. Dr. Seuss's legacy runs far and wide, with his children's stories being adapted into cartoons and live action films alike. Here we rank all 10 of Seuss's film features and beloved TV specials.
Al Ravenna, New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection.
10. "The Cat in the Hat" (2003)
The live action adaptation of Dr. Seuss's classic book is insultingly awful, trading in gleeful whimsy for madcap cynicism. Mike Myers is goofing off instead of playing a charming scamp.
Universal Pictures
9. "The Lorax" (2012)
As a fable, "The Lorax" is about as dark and complicated as Dr. Seuss gets. This light and colorful animated film featuring Danny DeVito and Taylor Swift, which is a combination of "Minions" meets "WALL-E," certainly isn't that.
Universal Pictures
8. "The Butter Battle Book" (1989)
This short is faithful to Dr. Seuss's work. It's a story about two rival races of people divided by a wall, based on their differences over how they butter their bread. But the songs are flat, and the animation isn't much better.
Turner
7. "Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (2000)
Though it's incredibly cheesy and the Whoville makeup is a joke, Jim Carrey brings his overly-exuberant charm to the story, even if he looks a bit silly.
Universal Pictures
6. "The Grinch" (2018)
Taking cues from the cutesy "Despicable Me" movies, Universal's "The Grinch" with Benedict Cumberbatch has more elaborate animated mayhem than grouchy, mean-spirited fun and wordplay. The inoffensive charm is there, but the film's heart is two sizes too small.
Universal Pictures
5. "The Lorax" (1972)
"The Lorax" begins and ends in a grim, polluted world, using music and rhyme to chart how industry can harm the environment. Its message remains poignant and hopeful that a new generation can save nature.
CBS
4. "Horton Hears a Who" (2008)
The best of the modern Dr. Seuss adaptations, Jim Carrey voices another Seuss character for this delightful, madcap romp.
20th Century Fox Animation Studios
3. "The Cat in the Hat" (1971)
"Everything back in its proper place, no more rainbows for us to chase." This version of "The Cat in the Hat" takes some liberties, but it lovingly and musically captures the spirit of Dr. Seuss's iconic character.
CBS
2. "Horton Hears a Who" (1970)
"A person's a person, no matter how small." This Chuck Jones-directed TV special is beautifully animated, faithful to the story of acceptance of everyone and a joy from start to finish.
MGM
1. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (1966)
The songs are indelible, the lessons are heartwarming and the animation is impeccable. "The Grinch" isn't just the best Dr. Seuss adaptation, but one of the finest animated shorts of all time.
MGM
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Universal’s ”The Grinch“ opens Friday, Nov. 9
Oh, the places you'll go. Dr. Seuss's legacy runs far and wide, with his children's stories being adapted into cartoons and live action films alike. Here we rank all 10 of Seuss's film features and beloved TV specials.