The latest addition to the “Hunger Games” saga, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” has taken the box office by storm. With an estimated $45 million debut from 3,766 theaters, it leads this pre-Thanksgiving weekend’s releases. Despite falling slightly short of its $50 million projection, the film’s $100 million production budget suggests a solid start. However, the audience’s B+ CinemaScore rating, though respectable, doesn’t quite match the higher ratings of its predecessors.
“The Marvels” Faces a Sharp Decline
Marvel Studios’ “The Marvels” experienced a significant setback, earning just $9-10 million in its second weekend. This represents a 79% drop from its $46 million opening, making it one of the steepest declines for a Marvel film. This underperformance places it significantly behind the pace set by this summer’s “The Flash.”
Other Releases: “Trolls Band Together” and “Thanksgiving”
“Trolls Band Together” from Universal/DreamWorks also made a notable debut, opening with $30 million. This figure, although at the lower end of projections, is bolstered by positive family reception and a strong global total. Meanwhile, Sony Pictures’ “Thanksgiving,” a slasher film directed by Eli Roth, is tracking for a $10 million opening, with surprisingly strong critical reviews and a modest CinemaScore.
This weekend’s box office results highlight the unpredictable nature of film releases and audience preferences. As the industry gears up for the Thanksgiving weekend, it will be interesting to see how these films fare against upcoming releases.
For more in-depth reviews and insights on these releases and other films, visit Hitplay for a curated selection of movie and TV content.
