“Black Panther” is only losing about half its audience, weekend to weekend, and that is pushing the Marvel marvel further up the record books in terms of all-time box office hits. It will clear another $60 million or so, when all the cash is tallied Sunday night, and will pass the $500 million mark at the US box office Monday afternoon.
Almost as impressive, “Jumanji” and “The Greatest Showman,” CHRISTMAS movies, are still pulling in people. “Jumanji” will clear the $400 million mark by next weekend, and “Showman” — a musical Hollywood probably wishes it had embraced with more Oscar love (Sunday night on ABC!) — is inching towards $175.
New releases? “Red Sparrow” tests the idea of Jennifer Lawrence as a highly-sexualized leading lady, an adult expected to open her star vehicle with no YA “Hunger Games” franchise to back it up. Mixed, barely passable reviews for the Russian sex-spy picture aren’t doing her any favors. The Oscar winner’s much-hyped debut nude will not hit $20 million.
Then there’s “Death Wish,” a poorly-acted, poorly-written, badly-directed and ill-timed celebration of gun nuttery — a remake NOBODY asked for, that critics are trashing across the board as “toxic.” A movie made by a–holes for a–holes. Yeah, I sat through it with a paying audience, so I know. It‘s doing $12 million.
“Every Day” is still in the top ten for another week, barely reaching those teen girls who’d drag teen boys along with them for a gooey but thoughtful high school romantic fantasy.