Sony’s “Venom: the Last Dance” continued its box office dominance in North America with a weekend haul of $16.2 million, bringing its total earnings to $114.8 million domestically and $279 million internationally. The film starring Tom Hardy as the lead character saw success amidst a slow weekend in the industry, with major studios avoiding releasing new films due to concerns surrounding the US election.
Lionsgate’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” surprised with a second-place finish, earning $11.1 million on a $10 million budget. The comedy-drama features Judy Greer as a mother directing a Christmas pageant involving the mischievous Herdman herd, described as the “worst kids in the history of the world.” The film also stars Pete Holmes and has elements of faith-based storytelling.
A24’s new horror movie “Heretic” opened in third place, grossing $11 million over the weekend. The film showcases Hugh Grant in a role that contrasts with his usual on-screen persona, and received positive reviews from critics. Industry analyst David A. Gross noted that the movie’s success was notable for an original horror film without existing series or franchise tie-ins.
“The Wild Robot,” in its seventh week of release, continued its top-five streak by earning $6.7 million and securing the fourth spot at the box office. On the other hand, Paramount’s “Smile 2” dropped two places to fifth with a $5 million weekend take. Despite a production budget of $28 million, the horror film has reached $60.5 million in North America.
Other films rounding out the top 10 include “Conclave” with $4.1 million, “Anora” with $2.5 million, “Here” with $2.4 million, “We Live in Time” with $2.2 million, and “Terrifier 3” with $1.5 million. The diverse selection of genres and themes in these films demonstrates the variety of offerings available to audiences in the current box office landscape.
Overall, the weekend box office results reflected a mix of established franchises, original storytelling, and unexpected successes. Sony’s “Venom: the Last Dance” continued to captivate audiences, while smaller budget productions like “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” made a strong showing. The success of A24’s “Heretic” highlighted the appeal of unique horror films, and “The Wild Robot” demonstrated the longevity of family-friendly content. As the industry continues to navigate challenges and uncertainties, the resilience of the box office remains evident through the performance of a diverse array of films across different genres.
