Movie

The Ryan Coogler-directed 'Black Panther' sequel tops the domestic chart for fourth weekend while Universal's new holiday thriller starring David Harbour debuts at No. 2.

• Dec 5, 2022

AceShowbiz - "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is unchallenged at the North American box office on a muted post-Thanksgiving weekend. The latest Marvel superhero film claims the top spot for a fourth straight weekend with an estimated $17.6 million from 3,855 theaters, bringing its domestic tally to $393.7 million.

The "Black Panther" sequel has surpassed fellow 2022 superhero pics "The Batman" ($369 million) and "Thor: Love and Thunder" ($343 million). It is also the first film since "Spider-Man: No Way Home" to stay No. 1 for four consecutive weekends.

Overseas, the Ryan Coogler-directed sequel added $20.2 million to its haul for a foreign tally of $339 million. It has bagged a total of $733 million globally so far, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of the year.

"Wakanda Forever" holds off new release "Violent Night" from taking over the reign. The only movie to have a wide release in cinemas this weekend, the holiday thriller starring David Harbour got off to a solid start with an estimated $13.3 million at No. 2.

The R-rated action comedy is about a not-so-saintly Saint Nick (Harbour), who fights mercenaries who have taken a wealthy family hostage in their home. Directed by Tommy Wirkola, it holds a 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it a B+.

"This is a solid opening for an action comedy," says David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. "The film should have room to play for another week and a half before 'Avatar 2' takes over."

"David Harbour as Santa is about as much fun as you can get," Jim Orr, Universal's president of domestic distribution, speaks highly of the movie and its lead star. "It's an original idea that's executed extraordinarily well."

Overseas, "Violent Night" opened to $7 million from 72 markets for a global start of $20.4 million. The movie was made on a reported modest budget of $20 million.

"Strange World" is forced to step down one place to No. 3 with approximately $4.9 million, while "The Menu" is up one place to No. 4 with an estimated $3.6 million. Switching place with the satirical fine-dining thriller is "Devotion", which now ranks fifth with approximately $2.8 million.

Top 10 of North America Box Office (Dec. 02-04, 2022):

1. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" - $17.6 million
2. "Violent Night" - $13.3 million
3. "Strange World" - $4.9 million
4. "The Menu" - $3.6 million
5. "Devotion" - $2.8 million
6. "I Heard the Bells" - $1.8 million
7. "Black Adam" - $1.7 million
8. "The Fabelmans" - $1.3 million
9. "Bones and All" - $1.2 million
10. "Ticket to Paradise" - $849.825