Weekend Actuals: 'Star Wars' Obliterates Opening Weekend Record with $248m Debut

     History was made this weekend when 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' claimed the biggest opening weekend gross from December 18-20, 2015, grabbing a record-breaking $248 million. Meanwhile, the other two new wide releases provided strong counter-programming as the holdovers experienced sharp declines (unsurprisingly).

     Obviously taking the #1 spot, 'Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens' collected a record-shattering $248 million in its debut for an astounding $59,982 per-theater average. That is nearly $10 million higher than initial estimates pegged it to be due to its stronger-than-expected hold on Sunday. It easily beat 'Jurassic World' for the biggest opening domestically and for the biggest per-theater average. It was pretty clear that 'Star Wars' was going to break those records months before it even came out, but no one expected an opening this high. With the unparalleled hype surrounding the film, absolutely glowing critical reviews, solid marketing, and great word-of-mouth, taking the opening weekend record was like a piece of cake.

     'Star Wars' easily knocked out 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' for the biggest December opening in just one day. In fact, it's already earned about 82% of that movie's final gross ($303m). It began breaking records once the trailers came out, and even more so when tickets became available. 'Force Awakens' also compares favorably to previous record-holders (and fellow $200m+ openers) 'Marvel's The Avengers' ($207.4m) and 'Jurassic World' ($208.8m). What's even more impressive is that those movies came out in the summer, while 'Star Wars' came out in December, where no movie before it crossed $100 million in their first three days. The fact that this movie was a sequel to the original trilogy opposed to a prequel (those movies aren't remembered too fondly) helped a lot, assuring audiences that the beloved original cast will return alongside the new one. Some records the film broke include the biggest opening for a PG-13 rated film ($248m), biggest holiday opening ($248m), biggest overall weekend for the Top 12 ($305.6m), biggest December weekend for the Top 12 ($305.6m), widest December opening (4,134 theaters), and the biggest IMAX opening domestically ($30.1m).

     Another notable record it broke was the biggest Friday, opening, and single day ever ($119.1m), which included a record $57 million from Thursday previews. However, due to its sizable day-to-day drops over the weekend, it failed to claim the biggest Saturday gross,  held by 'Jurassic World' ($69.6m). Speaking of which, after grossing a record $119.1 million Friday, it declined 42.7% on Saturday to earn $68.3 million and another 11.3% on Sunday to make $60.6 million. That places the weekend-to-Friday ratio at a very front-loaded 2.08-to-1, which ranks 12th all time. Still, due to its nature as a holiday release, it should hold up much better than the notoriously front-loaded 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2' (which had a ratio below 2-to-1). Add in stellar reviews (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and word-of-mouth ('A' CinemaScore), this should play very well throughout the holiday season, and there is a possible chance it can dethrone 'Avatar' ($760.5m) for the title of highest-grossing film domestically. It should wind up anywhere in the $745m-$835m, which would make it either the second highest-grossing or the highest-grossing release of all time (domestically). Worldwide, it has claimed first for the biggest global opening of all time with a strong $529 million. Expect a $1.8b+ gross in the near-future.
     In a far, far away second place, 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip' brought in a solid $14.3 million. Although it continued the franchise's ongoing declines film to film, it is still a strong gross, especially considering the competition from 'Star Wars'. The $90-million family comedy began with $4.1 million on Friday, increased 38.8% on Saturday to earn $5.7 million, and fell 22.6% on Sunday to make $4.4 million. That would put the ratio at 3.48-to-1, which is a bit better than the last installment's (3.46-to-1). If it follows that movie's patterns, 'Road Chip' should end its run with around $80m despite weak reviews (14% on RT, although word-of-mouth is more positive with 65%).

     In a close third place, 'Sisters', the $30-million R-rated comedy from Universal, reunites Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on the big screen with $13.9 million. That is a bit below 'Baby Mama''s $17.4 million, but is a solid debut nonetheless. With $5 million on Friday, 'Sisters' declined a light 2.4% on Saturday to gross $4.8 million and 15% on Sunday to earn $4.1 million. The weekend-to-Friday ratio here is a very solid 2.78-to-1. Should it perform similar to 'Baby Mama', 'Sisters' will close with $45 million. However, because it is a holiday release, it should be a bit more back-loaded with a possible $75 million total.
     As expected, most of the holdovers experienced sharp declines from last weekend. Leading them was 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2'. The $160-million Lionsgate production fell 48.4% and made $5.9 million. 'Mockingjay' has so far earned $254.5 million, which lags its predecessor by 12.1%. $270 million should be a lock by now.
     In fifth place, 'Creed' held on better than expected, dipping 50.5% to $5.0 million. The $35-million boxing drama starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone has so far made a solid $87.8 million, and will hope to get past $100 million by the end of its run.
     'The Good Dinosaur' sunk like a stone again, this time plummeting 57.8% and making $4.4 million. The $200-million animated feature will have trouble making back its budget domestically, and it doesn't look like foreign countries are helping much either. With an underwhelming $96.7 million in 26 days, it should look to close at around $125 million.

     'Krampus' fell a respectable 51.1% and scared up an estimated $4.1 million. The $15-million holiday horror has so far brought in a strong $35.1 million and should close with around $45 million. Right behind it is 'In the Heart of the Sea'. If you thought that it could hold up well through the holidays and not be a total disaster, I'm sorry to tell you that you're wrong. The $100-million adventure netted $3.5 million, down a troubling 68.5%. With just $18.6 million thus far, 'Sea' looks to finish with around $25 million domestic. Although Warner Bros. has been having a mostly bad time this year, it should rebound in a big way in 2016 with major releases like 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice', 'Suicide Squad', 'Storks', and 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'.
     Overall, the Top 12 grossed a record-breaking $305.6 million, up a whopping 339.5% from last weekend and an astounding 140.7% from last year when 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' debuted on the lower end of the franchise. This marks the first time in history that the Top 12 alone grossed over $300 million altogether.

     Next weekend is going to be very, very crowded. While 'Star Wars' will of course take the top spot once again, a bunch of films with major stars in them will compete for spots in the Top 5. The bunch includes 'Concussion', a Will Smith led football drama, 'Daddy's Home', a Mark Wahlberg / Will Ferrell led comedy, 'Joy', a Jennifer Lawrence led biopic, and the 'Point Break' remake. There will also be a handful of major limited releases too, such as 'The Hateful Eight', the new western from Quentin Tarantino, and 'The Revenant', another western from the director of last year's hit 'Birdman'. If all of those new releases can avoid disappointing numbers, and if 'Star Wars' and the other films hold up well, then next weekend will be one of the biggest of 2015 and maybe one of the biggest ever.