Hold onto your seats, because the box office is still buzzing with excitement, even during a typically quiet pre-Christmas weekend! Disney’s Zootopia 2 continues to dominate, securing the No. 1 spot for the third consecutive weekend with a $25 million haul across 3,835 theaters. That’s a 40% drop, but it’s still an impressive feat, pushing its total earnings to a staggering $257.6 million. And here’s the kicker: Zootopia 2 is already the third movie this year to cross the $1 billion mark globally, following Ne Zha 2 and Lilo & Stitch. But here’s where it gets controversial—can it maintain this momentum, or is it riding the coattails of its predecessor’s success? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Coming in at No. 2 is Blumhouse/Universal’s Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, raking in $19.6 million at 3,579 theaters, despite a 69% drop. Unlike the first installment, which had a day-and-date release on Peacock, this sequel is purely theatrical—and it’s holding its ground better than expected. Remember when the first film broke Peacock’s viewership records in late October 2023? This time, the audience is proving its loyalty in theaters. But is this franchise’s success sustainable, or is it just a flash in the pan? Share your thoughts below!
Universal’s Wicked: For Good takes the No. 3 spot in its fourth weekend, earning $2.1 million today and an estimated $8 million for the weekend. With a running total of $311.6 million, it’s the fifth film this year to cross the $300 million mark, joining the ranks of A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch, Superman, and Jurassic World: Rebirth. However, it’s pacing 13% behind the original Wicked at this point in its run. Will it catch up, or is it destined to fall short?
In fourth place, 20th Century Studios’ Ella McCay, directed by the legendary James L. Brooks, is struggling with just $800,000 today and a $3 million opening weekend across 2,500 theaters. Critics are divided, with a 21% Rotten Tomatoes score, but its modest $30 million production cost (before P&A) is a far cry from Brooks’ previous budgets, like How Do You Know ($120 million) and Spanglish ($80 million). Is this a smart financial move, or a sign of diminishing returns for the 85-year-old filmmaker?
Rounding out the top five is GKids’ Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, earning $600,000 today and $2.1 million for the weekend in its second frame. With a ten-day total of $14.5 million, it’s holding steady in the anime fan base.
And let’s not forget Universal’s re-release of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey and directed by Ron Howard. It’s bringing in $600,000 today and $1.8 million for the weekend across 2,250 theaters, pushing its total to $264.2 million. Who doesn’t love a holiday classic?
So, what’s your take? Is Zootopia 2’s success a testament to its quality, or just a product of Disney’s marketing machine? Can Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 sustain its theatrical run, or will it fizzle out? And is James L. Brooks’ Ella McCay a hidden gem or a missed opportunity? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments—your opinion matters!
