The China Mail - 'Wonka' back atop N.America box office in a weak film year

The Warner Bros. film took in an estimated $24 million for the three-day weekend in the US and Canada, and $31.8 million when New Year's Day is included. It has passed the $140 million mark domestically and taken in $244 million globally.

That strong showing came at the end of an off year for Hollywood, with numbers roughly 20 percent below the three-year pre-pandemic average, said analyst David A. Gross. Audience tastes are starting to change, he said, from universe-saving action films to stories closer to home.

Close to home -- at least if you live near a chocolate factory -- was family-friendly "Wonka," with Timothee Chalamet as a younger version of Roald Dahl's famous chocolatier. Hugh Grant has an unforgettable turn as a grouchy, green-haired, gnome-like Oompa Loompa.

Last weekend's leader, Warner Bros.' "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," took on a bit of water, slipping to second at $19.5 million for three days ($26.3 million for four). Jason Momoa again plays the sea-dwelling superhero, this time joining with his half-brother and former foe to fight turmoil and climate change.

In third was Illumination and Universal's animated comedy "Migration" about the adventures of a family of mallard ducks as they fly from New England to Jamaica. It earned $17.2 million for three days ($23 million for four).

Completing a strong weekend for Warner Bros. was the new musical version of "The Color Purple," in fourth spot at $13 million ($17.7 million). Based on the Alice Walker novel that became a beloved movie, "Purple" follows the struggles and triumphs of Celie, a young Black woman in rural Georgia in the early 20th century.

One-time "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino-Taylor plays Celie -- a role played by Whoopi Goldberg in the 1985 film -- with backing from Danielle Brooks, H.E.R. and Colman Domingo.

And in fifth was Sony rom-com "Anyone But You," at $9 million ($11.5 million). Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell star in the tale, oh-so-loosely based on Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," that takes the two from instant connection to crossed signals to the scheming of friends to a lot of splashing in Sydney Harbour before ultimately ... but nay, the rest is silence.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

"Boys in the Boat" ($8.3 million for three days; $11 million for four)

"The Iron Claw" ($5 million; $6.9 million)

"Ferrari" ($4.1 million; $5.2 million)

"Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" ($2.9 million; $4 million)

"The Boy and the Heron" ($2.5 million; $3.4 million)

V.Liu--ThChM