Global concerns over the spread of the coronavirus have begun making a noticeable impact on box office sales domestic and international. Even amidst theater chainslike AMC Theaters and Regal Cinemaseither scaling back audience capacities at theaters, those who are still heading to the movies seem to be choosing uplifting, family-friendly fare — which might explain why Pixar’sOnwardwas the surprise winner this weekend with $10.5 million earned.
A $10.5 million domestic weekend is not the ideal outcome for a Pixar movie currently ending its sophomore weekend in theaters. However,Onwardhas been beset with a slower-than-normal earning pace both here in the U.S. and at the international box office. Combined with growing coronavirus concerns and a 73% dip from last weekend, $10.5 million domestic earned from 4,310 locations is, frankly, a surprise. Overseas,Onwardearned $6.8 million from 47 territories, bringing the film’s global total to just $101.7 million in two weeks.
Lionsgate releaseI Still Believe,a faith-fueled drama based on the true story which inspired Christian singerJeremy Camp’s hit “I Still Believe”, rose to #2 at the box office race this weekend, making $9.5 million here in the United States. The film, which starsKJ Apa(Riverdale) andBritt Robertson(Tomorrowland) as a couple who fight through the highs and lows of young love and a troubling cancer diagnosis. Opening in 3,250 domestic theaters, receiving an “A” CinemaScore from audiences and holding 99% audience score onRotten Tomatoes.I Still Believealso averaged $2,923 per theater.
Coming in a very close second is fellow new releaseBloodshot. Decidedly very different in tone from this weekend’s box office winner,Bloodshotis adapted from the Valiant Comics series of the same name and starsVin Diesel,Guy Pearce,Eiza Gonzalez, andSam Heughan. Diesel plays Ray Garrison, a soldier who is brought back to life with special nanotechnology and tasked with a special mission. In another weekend slot, the Sony Pictures release might have stood a better chance with sales. However, an already-slow March box office combined with movie theater capacity restrictions and, in some cases, closures, has resulted in the $45 million feature bringing in $9.3 million domestic. Opening in 2,861 theaters nationwide,Bloodshotaveraged $3,251 per theater. The film also nabbed a “B” CinemaScore and a 78% audience score onRotten Tomatoes.
Biting political satireThe Huntended up in fifth place this weekend, with $5.3 million domestic earned. The Universal feature starsBetty Gilpin(GLOW) andHilary Swankon opposite sides of a modern-day take on short story “The Most Dangerous Game”, where liberal “elites” hunt “deplorables” and one woman ends up fighting back in a big way. The movie, directed byCraig Zobeland written byDamon LindelofandNick Cuse, was delayed back in 2019following backlashover the perceived message from the film’s first trailer. Now, opening during what will likely be the first of many extraordinarily slow box office weekends,The Huntis averaging $1,757 per theater from 3,028 locations total.
Other movies in this weekend’s top 10 have been hit with week-to-week dips in the 60-70% range — a very noticeable percentage, even in this current moviegoing climate. Universal/Blumhouse featureThe Invisible Manis holding on at #4, weathering a 60% week-to-week drop with $6 million earned domestically, bringing its three-week total up to $64.4 million. Aside fromOnward’s killer 73% drop, #9 picEmmastarringAnya Taylor-Joyhad one of the highest dips at 71% and added $1.4 million domestic to its total current $10 million total.
For more, you can read up on our reviewsofBloodshotandThe Hunt.
$10,532,000
$60,290,687
I Still Believe
$9,500,000
$9,300,000
The Invisible Man
$6,000,000
$64,419,685
$5,320,000
Sonic the Hedgehog
$2,575,000
$145,806,328
The Way Back
$2,415,000
$13,435,873
The Call of the Wild
$2,241,000
$62,106,911
$1,370,000
$10,005,975
Bad Boys for Life
$1,100,000
$204,292,401
