The Weekend Report

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle took top spot for the holiday frame with an estimated $27.1 million. Not far behind with $18.6 million was The Post that went wide after three weeks in exclusives. (All figures reflect 3-day figures; chart will be updated tomorrow).

Three national debuts opened respectably. Ticking-clock The Commuter landed third with $13.2 million while family-targeted Paddington 2 cuddled up to $10.5 million. Proud Mary, advertised as kin of John Cassavetes’ 1980 thriller Gloria, bowed to $9.8 million.

Two Telugu films led the charge with Thaanaa Serndha Kootem grossing $303,000 and Agnyaathavaasi – Prince in Exile posting $278,000. The latter film had a potent pre-weekend box office of $2.2 million that rapidly evaporated. The elaborate Filipino fantasy adventure Ang Panday had an OK start of $111,000 while animated Mexican import Condorito was more cel than buy with $230,000 from 153 screens.

Most promising among exclusive newcomers was Lebanon’s Academy short-listed The Insult, which arrived with $24,100 from three engagements.

Revenues  hovered around $155 million and slipped 7% from last weekend. It was a slight 2% improvement from 2017 when Hidden Figures led with $27.5 million and the top new entry. The Bye Bye Man, ranked fifth with $15.2 million.

Observers were nervous about whether The Post would have wide appeal, and unusual fluctuation in tracking put a cloud over expectation of a $20 million four-day result. But Spielberg hit the mark with an audience that was 55% female and 66% 35 and older. It remains in the Oscar chase and could bring in a younger audience as its run continues. Liam Neeson continued his reign as successor to Charles Bronson with The Commuter, which exceeded tracking expectations of $9 million to $10 million. Its crowd was 54% male with 70% of the audience over 30.

Originally set for release by the Weinstein Co., Paddington 2 was acquired by Warner Bros. as the indie began its a tailspin. The beloved Peruvian bear adrift in the UK opened two months ago overseas and has grossed $150 million. Expectations were more modest Stateside but it still came up short of expectations of a $15 million debut despite the appeal of the initial movie. Studio exit demos reflected a 57% female audience with 55% over 25.

Proud Mary got the wrong kind of publicity when the media harrumphed that its studio wasn’t screening for press. Tracking suggested nonetheless a decent debut of roughly $15 million that movie-goers failed to support and its ad campaign really failed to give a clear sense of its story. Those who showed were 58% female and 77% over 25.

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