Which films dominated Aussie cinemas this Christmas?
Australians rushed to the movies during the final few weeks of the year, with Boxing Day releases Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Anyone But You drawing disparate crowds to the cinema.
According to HOYTS, the Australian box office was $19.58m for the weekend of Dec 29-Jan 1, up 16% on the prior weekend (Dec 22-25).
Of course, the most recent weekend benefitted from the slew of Boxing Day releases that came during the week, such as the big-hitting Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which brought in $4.62m over the past weekend, having already earned a cumulative Australian box office of $9.36m since its Boxing Day release.
Wonka, which is in its third week, almost toppled Aquaman for top spot over the weekend, bringing in $4.39m over the weekend, with total takings of $21.74m to date.
Anyone But You, also released on Boxing Day, took another $2.84 million this weekend, reaching $5.1m in its first week of release, while animated-bird-drama Migration drew the kiddies to the tune of $2.15m, with a cumulative box office of $4.66m.
Kids also came to see Disney’s Wish ($1.3m this weekend), and Trolls Band Together – which brought in $602,000 in its fifth week of release.
As the below chart from Numero — official provider of the Australian box office — shows, Aquaman was by far the most popular film on Boxing Day, pulling in over $2m on that day alone, while Wonka benefitted from being the highest profile new-release in the days leading up to Boxing Day, raking in over $4 million in those few days.
Among the new releases this week are Ferrari, the life story of automotive entrepreneur Enzo Ferrari, and the George Clooney-directed Boys in the Boat, based on the University of Washington’s 1936 rowing team.
Speaking to Mumbrella recently, Val Morgan’s managing director Guy Burbidge said the Boxing Day weekend releases are a special ritual for many Australians.
“In the last two years, we’ve had four titles that are in the top eight of all time — not just post-pandemic — all time,” he said.
He continued: “That [cinema] experience is what gives us the edge.
“Yes, the content is super important, but why do people keep coming out and wanting to see cinema – as that affordable luxury, as part of the family entertainment suite? We’re very lucky to have a very strong set of exhibitors in this country that have invested heavily in the industry over the last five years.”
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