Disney’sMoanais off to a strong start at the box office this holiday week. So strong, in fact, that its Tuesday preview night took in $2.6 million, doubling the previous Thanksgiving week record of Disney/Pixar’s 2015 film,The Good Dinosaur. A little movie by the name ofFrozenheld the record before that with its 2013 debut at $1.2 million. The biggest bow for an animated film’s Tuesday night preview, however, remains 2013’sDespicable Me, which kicked things off with $4.3 million before tallying $143 million in its opening weekend.
Moanais looking at a holiday weekend total of $80+ million,Box Office Mojoestimates. Other Wednesday debuts includeRobert Zemeckis' World War II spy thrillerAllied, starringBrad PittandMarion Cotillard;Warren Beatty’sRules Don’t Apply; andBad Santa 2, the R-rated black comedy starringBilly Bob Thornton. Those films brought in $600k, $65k, and $350k respectively in their preview night openings, reportsTHR.
It’s looking like a battle between Disney’sMoanaand Warner Bros.Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themfor the top spot this weekend. The new debut has the benefit ofalmost unanimously positive critical reviewswith audience reactions to match. Audiences responded to theHarry Potterprequel more favorably than critics; the film tallied $74.4 million in its U.S. debut and took in $220 million worldwide last weekend. We’ll see if it has the legs to hold off the brightly colored animated adventure film that starsDwayne Johnsonand newcomerAuli’i Cravalho.
The holiday themed adult comedyBad Santa 2is aiming for a weekend tally in the $15 million range, offering up an alternative to the more family-friendly fare at theaters this week/end.Alliedis tracking to earn around $20 million, but Paramount’s taking the conservative route with their estimates, eying the $15+ million mark. Beatty’s latest directorial effortRules Don’t Applylikely won’t crack $10 million but looks to pull in $7-8 million over the five-day run. Be sure to return this Saturday and Sunday to see our full Friday and WeekendBox Officereports.
