The pre-Thanksgiving box office is loaded with mystery.
As predicted, Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever remained at the top of the box office in its second weekend, grossing $67.3 million for a domestic total of $288 million. The Marvel Studios and Disney tentpole had aimed to earn $70 million in its second appearance, but it fell 63 percent short. Its total revenue is $546 million.
Still, it’s not uncommon for a Marvel film to drop more than 60% domestically, but the first Black Panther, which debuted at $202 million, dropped less than 55% in its second weekend. According to Comscore, the latest two Marvel films, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder, both had 67 percent drops.
Over the November 11-13 weekend, Wakanda Forever grossed $181 million in North America, a November record. It was also 2022’s second-largest picture office premiere, trailing only Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ($187.4 million). The film hopes to maintain its popularity during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Searchlight’s new epicurean horror-comedy The Menu finished in second, generating $9 million from 3,211 theatres – the broadest release in Searchlight’s history.
The Menu, starring Ralph Fiennes, Anna Taylor-Joy, and Nicholas Hoult, made a great launch after attracting a younger audience (specialty dramas depending upon older viewers are struggling badly). Almost 65 percent of ticket purchasers were between the ages of 18 and 24. The film had a CinemaScore of B.
Early weekend projections saw The Menu being consumed by a special-event showing of the faith-based series The Chosen Season 3: Episodes 1 & 2 on Saturday, but it was able to overcome.
The Chosen is still anticipated to make $8.2 million from 2,012 theatres, a roaring success for a special-event screening, according to Fathom Events. Angel Studios’ The Chosen, based on the life of Jesus, is available on platforms such as Prime Video and Peacock, as well as through its own app.
