The Christmas period is always a packed time at the American box-office. This year wide releases Pitch Perfect 3, Jumanji, Downsizing, Father Figures and The Greatest Showman all battled to try and wrestle some coin from the cash-rich Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which continues to make a mint.
Star Wars took a further $103 million over the 4-day Christmas period and is now approaching a huge $800 million globally. That doesn't mean there wasn't room for contenders as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Kevin Hart once again proved they are a potent team; Jumanji; Welcome to the Jungle clearing $70 million over the same period. It should pass the $100 million domestic gross of the original with ease - not counting inflation, obviously.
Elsewhere Pitch Perfect 3 did solid business, taking $26 million; with a fan base that is currently off for the holidays, it should show strong legs for weeks.
Hugh Jackman starrer The Greatest Showman is doing OK, with less than $20 million in the six days of its release. But studio Fox expect it to show staying power over the festive period.
It was bad news for grown up, original films as the Matt Damon starring Alexander Payne directed Downsizing bombed. The $58 million flick is by far Payne's most expensive and, so far, his most divisive. It took $7.2 million in four days, maybe proving that broader audiences care less for nuance and originality over Christmas and more about family-friendly franchises.
The much delayed Owen Wilson/Ed Helms comedy Father Figures fared the worst of the lot with $4.7 million.
Via Deadline
