The Upsidehas turned into a bit of a box office surprise, wheeling itself right out a Weinstein Company death hole to debut with $19.5 million, good enough to finally knockAquamanoff its throne after four weeks.James Wan’s underwater DC Comics epic isn’t exactly drowning, though. Not only didAquamannab another $17 million domestically, but also surfed past the $1 billion mark worldwide on Saturday night, the first DC film to do so sinceChristopher Nolan’s 2012 Batman flick,The Dark Knight Rises.
The lesson here? PutNicole Kidmanin your movies, ya Hollywood nerds.
But seriously,The Upside’s success story comes in well above expectations, with most predictions placing it firmly in the $9-11 million range. The film—which starsBryan Cranstonas a paraplegic billionaire who hires an ex-con (Kevin Hart) as his caretaker—bounced from the Weinstein Company to Lantern to STX Entertainment, who re-cut the film to get a PG-13 rating.The Upsidealso debuted as its co-lead Kevin Hart finds himself embarking on an apology tour after old homophobic tweets got him booted from Oscar hosting duties. The film’s opening marks the first STX film to debut at number one and the entertainment company’s second-best premiere ever behind 2012’sBad Moms($23 million).
Rounding out the top three is Sony’sA Dog’s Way Home, which premiered exactly aligned with predictions for $11.3 million.Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Versecontinues to remain consistent, falling only 31% in its fifth weekend to web another $9 million. In its sophomore outing,Escape Roomclimbed another $8.9 million to $32 million total, a win for the micro-budgeted horror flick from directorAdam Robitel.
TheRuth Bader GinsburgbiopicOn the Basis of Sexexpanded nationwide over the weekend and landed impressively in eighth place with $6.2 million.Barry Jenkins' Oscar-hopefulIf Beale Street Could Talkalso expanded, hauling in another $2.3 million from 1,334 theaters.
Keep an eye on movies likeBeale Streetas we approach the January 22 Oscar nomination announcement. The drama, plus films likeAdam McKay’sVice($3.2 million this weekend),Peter Farrelly’sGreen Book($2 million this weekend), andRob Marshall’sMary Poppins Returns($7.2 million this weekend) could be looking for a boost at the box office that comes with Academy Award recognition.
Check out the weekend’s top 10 estimates below, and be back here next week to see ifM. Night Shyamalancan shatter expectations withGlass.
The Upside
$$19,590,000
$17,265,000
$287,861,781
A Dog’s Way Home
$11,300,000
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
$9,000,000
$147,775,445
Escape Room
$8,900,000
$32,432,931
Mary Poppins Returns
$7,215,000
$150,656,985
$6,775,000
$108,469,977
On the Basis of Sex
$6,227,000
$10,557,847
$5,545,000
$90,578,396
$3,278,644
$35,936,486
