Hayao Miyazaki‘s ‘The Boy and the Heron’ flew to a record-breaking $12.8 million opening, making it the first original anime title in history to top the North American box office chart https://t.co/zeQ7uc3ln9
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) December 10, 2023
Japan has taken over the box office this weekend!
The Boy and The Heron had its wide debut in 2,205 theaters and scored a big-time $12.8 million. Its the first original anime to top the box office and is not only Hayao Miyazaki’s first film to top the box office, but also his highest grossing film in North America. The film earned an A- Cinemascore, and a 4.0 on Letterboxd.
Godzilla Minus One took 3rd place, dropping only 27% from its debut last weekend to $8.34 million. Its domestic gross at $25.3 million is the biggest haul for a live-action Japanese film in North America.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes sat between them with a 2nd place $9.4 million. Its domestic gross stands at $135.6 million.
Tolls Band Together ($6.2 million, -21%) and Wish ($5.3 million, -31%) rounded on the Top 5. Last weeks top film, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé fell off a cliff, dropping a massive 77% and out of the top 5 completely with $5 million. Meanwhile, Waitress: The Musical opened in 1,214 theaters to $3.2 million.
In indie news, Poor Things took in $650k in 9 theaters, a $71,556 pta. Its the 4th best average this year. The 2nd best average of the year came from Eileen, which followed close behind in its second weekend with $615k, a massive $123k from 5 theaters. Origin also debuted to $117k from 2 theaters, for a $58k pta.
Next weekend: Wonka, The Zone of Interest, American Fiction
