Weekend Actuals: 'In the Heart of the Sea' Drowns While 'Mockingjay' is Still Winning

     On the worst weekend after the post-Thanksgiving weekend since 1998, 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2' took the top spot for the fourth week in a row. Meanwhile, 'In the Heart of the Sea' once again continued Warner Bros.' string of big-budget disappointments.

     Being the second 'Hunger Games' film to do so and the first one since 'Furious 7' back in April, 'Mockingjay - Part 2' lead the weekend for the fourth time, dropping just 39.5% from last weekend and making $11.4 million. In comparison, 'Mockingjay - Part 1' fell 42.4% to make $12.7 million. The $160-million final installment has now earned a solid, yet softer-than-expected, $244.6 million in 24 days, and $290 million is still reachable.
     In second place, the $100-million Chris Hemsworth led adventure 'In the Heart of the Sea' hunted down a meager $11.1 million, representing a $3,562 per-theater average. Prospects never looked good for 'Sea', but ultimately mixed reviews, unimpressive word-of-mouth, and the hype that has built around next week's 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' caused this film to come crashing down. Among Ron Howard openers, it performed much in line with 2013's 'Rush', another Chris Hemsworth starrer that fell below expectations. That film opened with $10 million coming off of a fairly strong limited release debut. 'Rush' topped off with $26.9 million, although that film opened in October instead of more towards the holiday season. This $11.1 million opening is 53.9% off the $24.1 million debut of last year's 'Exodus: Gods and Kings', another big-budget December misfire from a well-known director and a well-known lead. Speaking of which, Chris Hemsworth isn't exactly one would call a box-office draw. He stumbled with the previously mentioned 'Rush' and last January's 'Blackhat' ($3.9m opening/$8m finish), further ensuring that he isn't a guaranteed draw outside of the Marvel films.
     Opening with $3.8 million on Friday, 'Sea' was up 12.5% to gross $4.3 million, and declined 33.3% for $2.9 million on Sunday. With a 2.92-to-1 weekend-to-Friday ratio, there is some promise for the adventure, but with 'Star Wars' opening next weekend and a very competitive marketplace even after that, it should fall off pretty quickly. Plus, reviews (42% on Rotten Tomatoes) and word-of-mouth ('B+' CinemaScore) aren't that great. If it plays like 'Rush', it will end up with $30 million, and if it could hold up better $40 million shouldn't be out of the question.
     Pixar's $200-million 'The Good Dinosaur' mustered $10.3 million this weekend, dropping 32.7%. That is a typical hold for an animated offering after the post-Thanksgiving weekend. Still, 'Good Dinosaur' is underwhelming very much with only $89.5 million, and with 'Star Wars' AND 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' opening next weekend, it should be expected that the film will take another steep drop. $160 million is still in the realm of possibilities, or at least for now.
     'Creed' continues to gain momentum, as it eased a light 32.5% for a $10.1 million weekend take. The $35-million boxing drama/franchise revival has so far made a very strong $79.3 million, and $105 million should be no problem by now.
     Again exceeding expectations, holiday horror comedy 'Krampus' experienced a very strong hold for a horror film, falling 48.3% for $8.4 million. With $28.6 million already, the $15-million horror should continue to hold up well throughout the holiday season and top off with around $45 million.
     'The Night Before' took in $4.1 million (-17.8%) this weekend as 'Spectre' continues holding up well with $4.1 million (-26.8%). Respective grosses stand at $38.4 million for 'Night Before' (projected $45m finish). and $190.8 million for 'Spectre' (projected $200m finish)
     'The Peanuts Movie' stabilized nicely in its sixth weekend, dropping just 24.8% and making $2.7 million. The $99-million animated comedy from Fox so far has a $125 million cume, and $135 million is a lock.
     Oscar darlings 'Spotlight' and 'Brooklyn' continue to maintain steady grosses, as the former made $2.5 million (-10.4%) and the latter earned $2 million (-18.2%). 'Spotlight''s cume now stands at $20.3 million, and 'Brooklyn' is currently at $14.4 million.
     Overall, the Top 12 ($69.5 million combined) was down a disappointing 22.7% from last weekend and off 8.7% from last year when 'Exodus: Gods and Kings' flopped in first.
     Next weekend shows the very, very, very anticipated arrival of 'Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens', the first live-action 'Star Wars' film in 10 years. BoxOffice magazine currently projects a $223 million weekend while Disney itself is looking at a $180 million weekend. Deadline.com is predicting $185m-$210m. Many are thinking that 'Star Wars' will steal the opening weekend record from 'Jurassic World' ($208.8m), while others think it will come in third or fourth place on the charts. The two other wide releases are 'Sisters', the Tina Fey/Amy Poehler led comedy, and 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip', the modestly-anticipated family sequel whose projected grosses are climbing every week.