It looks likeThe Hunger Gamesis not going out on a high note.As we told you yesterday, the final installment in the blockbuster franchise was headed for the lowest domestic opening in the series’ history. Sadly, Katniss did not turn things around in time to avoid that conclusion. According to studio estimates,Mockingjay – Part 2earned $101 million in its first three days in theatres. That’s 16% behindMockingjay – Part 1, released on this weekend last year, and 36% behindCatching Fire, which still holds the November record for its $158 million debut in 2013.
This development is a bit of a surprise for those of us who expectedMockingjay 2to open with at least $120 million – in line with its direct predecessor. The lower-than-expected debut is also surprising when the final bows of other blockbuster franchises are considered. BothThe Twilight SagaandHarry Pottersplit their last installments into two parts, though the boy wizard probably isn’t the best box office correlative for Katniss Everdeen. For better or worse,TheHunger Gameshas always been measured againstTwilight. That franchise began its final run withBreaking Dawn Part 2in November 2012. Bella and Edward’s last bow opened with $141 million in North America: $3 million more thanBreaking Dawn Part 1and only $2 million behind the series’ all-time record.
But if there’s one thingThe Hunger Gameshas always had overThe Twilight Sagait’s box office staying power. The first three films in theHGfranchise each realized higher domestic totals than the most successfulTwilightfilm (2010’sEclipse) and claimed bigger global profits as well. Including this morning’s domestic estimate,Mockingjay–Part 2has already earned $247 worldwide. Considering that the reported budget for the film is $215 million including marketing, Lionsgate should see a profit even before DVD and streaming revenue kicks in. In other words, the studio isn’t sweating this weekend’s opening.
Here’s a look at the box office history ofThe Hunger Gamesfranchise:
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay – Part 1
Mockingjay – Part 2
*estimate only
WithThe Force Awakenson the horizon, there’s no way to determine how strongMockingjay 2’s final numbers will be. LikeMockingjay 1, the film earned an A- from CinemaScore audiences and has solid critical reviews (70% onRotten Tomatoes). That should result in strong holds over the next three weeks, but who really knows?
Katniss aside, there were few points of interest in this weekend’s box office.Spotlight, the true story of the Boston Globe’s investigation of child abuse within the Catholic church, made it into the top ten after expanding to 598 locations on Friday. An early Oscar favorite,Spotlighthas earned a total of $5.8 million since opening in 6 theatres earlier this month.
This weekend’s wider releases were much less impressive. Sony’sThe Night Beforebrought in an estimated $10.1 million from 2,960 locations. That’s a bit better than the September 2011 launch of50/50, which also starredSeth RogenandJoseph Gordon-Levittand was directed byJonathan Levine. But unlike50/50,The Night Beforehas the potential to boost its numbers in the weeks to come. A Christmas comedy, the film received an A- CinemaScore, which means it could be a draw for adults over the holidays. Last weekend’s more family-friendly holiday offering,Love the Coopers, was down 52% in its sophomore frame.
Finally,The Secret in Their Eyesopened with an estimated $6.6 million from 2,392 locations. Based on the eponymous 2010 Oscar winner for best foreign language feature,The Secret in Their EyesstarsJulia RobertsandNicole Kidmanand is the second release from STX Entertainment after last August’sThe Gift. AlthoughThe Secretopened 44% belowThe Gift,it did manage to double the opening ofOur Brand is Crisis, which has earned just $6.9 million after three weeks in theatres.
Looking ahead to next weekend’s Thanksgiving box office, Disney/Pixar’sThe Good Dinosaurshould take the lead with a debut of at least $60 million – the Pixar sweet spot. Fellow new releasesCreedandVictor Frankensteinare expected to open with $25 and $13 million, respectively. Until then, here’s how this weekend’s top ten looks:
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2
$101,025,000
$14,600,000
The Peanuts Movie
$12.800,000
The Night Before
$10,100,000
The Secret in Their Eyes
$6,633,000
Love the Coopers
$3,925,000
The Martian
$3,700,000
$3,603,000
$2,240,000
Bridge of Spies
$1,945,000
