There’s no stopping theHarry Potterbrand. The latest prequel to theHarry Potterseries,Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, pulled in a healthy $25.7 million on Friday, which includes the $9.1 million it made from Thursday night screenings. The latestFantastic Beastsmovie is on track to pull in $60-63 million domestically, but it could really rack up the score internationally.THRreports that overseas the movie could open to $185 million or more. The film is performing particularly well in China where it earned $11.8 million, the highest of anyHarry Pottermovie, although short of holdoverVenom, which earned $12 million in its second weekend.
The second and third spots at the weekend box office are likely to go toThe GrinchandBohemian Rhapsody, which are likely to earn $35 million and $15 million, respectively. Both could also be huge players over the crowded Thanksgiving weekend, especiallyThe Grinch, which is really the only movie out there right now for young kids.
As for the other big new releases this weekend,Instant FamilyandWidowsare in a close race for fourth place. Both movies are expected to pull in between $10-12 million over the weekend. I’d expectInstant Familyto nab the fourth spot simply because it has broader appeal and a PG-13 rating, althoughWidowsis certainly a crowdpleaser. That all being said, right nowInstant Family,Widows, andBohemian Rhapsodyare all very close together, so it should be interesting to see how the numbers shake out tomorrow.
Meanwhile, in limited release,Green BookandAt Eternity’s Gateare beginning their runs.Green Bookwill open in 25 theaters before expanding to 1,000 screens on Wednesday.At Eternity’s Gatewill open in four screens in New York and L.A.
Take a look at Friday’s numbers below and check back tomorrow for the full weekend estimates. (Numbers viaBox Office Mojo)
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
$25,700,000
The Grinch
$8,908,000
$97,284,280
Instant Family
$4,500,000
Bohemian Rhapsody
$4,250,000
$116,435,859
$4,200,000
