In a weekend marked by the familiar and the expanding, Paramount’s musical remake of “Mean Girls” held its ground as the top-grossing film in North America for the second consecutive week. The film, depicting the trials and tribulations of high school life, secured an estimated weekend box office take of $11.7 million.
The storyline, revolving around the notorious Plastics at North Shore High, once again resonated with audiences. Starring Angourie Rice, Renee Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho, Avantika, and Bebe Wood, the movie continued its success, maintaining its grip on the number one spot. Tina Fey, the creator of both the original 2004 film and this musical remake, made a cameo appearance as math teacher Ms. Norbury.
With no major new releases to disrupt the standings, the top five films maintained their positions from the previous week. Hollywood is now eagerly anticipating Tuesday’s announcement of Oscar nominations, hoping for a boost in viewership.
In the runner-up position, Amazon and MGM’s action-packed “The Beekeeper” secured $8.5 million over the weekend. The film stars Jason Statham as a former commando seeking vengeance against a criminal group responsible for a tragic event. The plot revolves around scams that lead to the suicide of an elderly woman, portrayed by Phylicia Rashad.
Remaining steadfast in third place for its sixth week in theaters, Warner Bros.’ “Wonka” grossed $6.4 million. The fantasy musical, starring Timothee Chalamet as the eccentric chocolate maker, has amassed an impressive $187.2 million in North America and a staggering $344 million internationally.
Ava DuVernay’s “Origin” made a compelling debut, earning $875,000 after a limited release in December. Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things,” winner of the Golden Globe for best comedy-musical, added 820 theaters, grossing $2 million. However, “The Color Purple” faced a decline, grossing only $720,000 in its fourth week, falling short of expectations.
As the industry awaits the Oscar nominations, the North American box office remains dynamic, with established favorites and new contenders vying for audience attention. Hollywood is bracing for potential shifts in the coming weeks as award-season momentum builds and new releases hit the big screen.
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