‘Wonka’ sweetens the box office with a New Year’s weekend win

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). — AFP