The Box Office Showdown: When Sequels Reign Supreme
The Wicked Witches' Spell is Broken!
For the second time, the highly anticipated 'Wicked: For Good' has been outshone at the box office, this time by the furry friends of 'Zootopia 2'. But here's the twist: it's not just about the numbers.
Joe Reid, a seasoned film critic, delves into the world of box office battles in the latest installment of Vulture's Movies Fantasy League. In Week 10, the focus shifts to the fate of 'Wicked: For Good', the sequel to the beloved musical 'Wicked'.
Last year, 'Wicked' cast a powerful spell with a massive opening weekend, only to be overshadowed by the animated juggernaut 'Moana 2'. History seems to be repeating itself, as 'Zootopia 2' takes the top spot, leaving 'Wicked: For Good' in its shadow. Despite a solid $270 million cumulative gross after two weeks, the film's second weekend earnings of $93 million fall short of its predecessor's $118 million.
But there's more to this story. The comparison with last year's box office hits, 'Moana 2' and 'Gladiator II', reveals a fascinating trend. While 'Zootopia 2' and the distant third-place finisher, 'Now You See Me, Now You Don't', haven't quite lived up to their predecessors' success, they still hold their own. And let's not forget the critical reception—'Wicked: For Good' faces a tougher battle on that front.
Disney's return to Zootopia, while not reaching 'Moana' levels, still dominated the holiday weekend with a comfortable $156 million. This is a far cry from the original 'Zootopia's' debut, but the audience's love for the franchise is evident. Cinemascore's A grade and positive reviews have made investors in the film smile.
The box office landscape beyond the top two is a steep drop. 'Now You See Me, Now You Don't' managed a modest $10 million, while 'Predator: Badlands' stands out, becoming the highest-grossing Predator film ever. However, in the MFL value game, it's outshone by 'Regretting You' and 'Black Phone 2'.
The weekend's new releases brought a mix of results. Elizabeth Olsen's 'Eternity' charmed with $5 million, 'Hamnet' crossed $1 million on a limited release, and 'Wake Up Dead Man' reported $4 million. Rian Johnson's 'Glass Onion' provides a rare glimpse into Netflix's box office performance, having made $13 million over the 2022 Thanksgiving holiday.
The Gotham Awards sprinkled points across various films, with 'Jay Kelly', 'Frankenstein', 'After the Hunt', 'Hedda', 'Song Sung Blue', and 'Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere' each earning 15 points. 'One Battle After Another' claimed Best Feature, while Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just an Accident' swept three awards, earning a whopping 55 MFL points. 'Sinners' also had a strong showing, picking up 40 points from two awards.
These three films dominate the MFL awards scene this year, with 'One Battle After Another' leading at 150 points, followed by 'It Was Just an Accident' at 95, and 'Sinners' at 75.
And the action doesn't stop here! Upcoming releases and award nominations promise more excitement. Stay tuned, and join the discussion—do you think 'Wicked: For Good' can bounce back? Is the box office landscape becoming more unpredictable? Share your thoughts and keep the movie magic alive!
