In a weekend marked by lackluster Mean Girls box office performances and a dearth of major studio releases, “Mean Girls” continues to shine, securing its reign at the top for the second consecutive week. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated sci-fi thriller, “I.S.S.,” encountered turbulence in its opening weekend, falling short of expectations with a mere $3 million collection.
“Mean Girls,” the musical adaptation of the iconic teen comedy, added $11.7 million to its domestic tally, now standing at an impressive $50 million. Despite a notable 59% drop in ticket sales from its debut, the film’s success is underscored by its modest $36 million budget, making it a lucrative venture for the producers.
This weekend’s lack of significant releases left a noticeable void in the 2024 schedule, according to David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research, attributing the industry’s subdued performance to the lingering impact of strikes and the ongoing pandemic.
On the flip side, “I.S.S.” struggled to make an impact, landing in seventh place with a disappointing $3 million from 2,520 theaters. The film, set aboard the International Space Station and starring Ariana DeBose and Chris Messina, faced a barrage of negative reviews and received a bleak “C-” CinemaScore from audiences.
In the second position, “The Beekeeper,” an action thriller directed by David Ayer, maintained its standing with $8.3 million. Featuring Jason Statham as a former operative seeking revenge, the film has amassed nearly $31 million in North America.
The fantasy musical “Wonka,” starring Timothée Chalamet, held onto third place with $6.7 million in its coffers. Six weeks into its release, the film has accumulated an impressive $187 million domestically and a whopping $513 million globally, proving to be a sweet success for Warner Bros.
Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell’s R-rated romantic comedy “Anyone but You” claimed the fourth spot with $5.4 million. The film, marking a resurgence of rom-coms at the box office, has grossed $64.2 million domestically and $100.2 million worldwide, surpassing the $100 million milestone.
In fifth place, Universal and Illumination’s animated adventure “Migration” glided to $5.3 million. With a $72 million budget, the film, released during the Christmas season, has raked in $94.6 million in North America and $191.6 million globally.
In the realm of limited releases, director Ava DuVernay’s “Origin” collected $875,000 from 125 screens, averaging a commendable $7,000 per location. The film, an unconventional adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s book “Caste,” is gaining momentum in the awards conversation, with hopes that potential Oscar nominations will boost its ticket sales.
As the box office navigates through challenges posed by strikes and the pandemic, “Mean Girls” remains a beacon of success, proving that a well-executed musical adaptation can weather the storm and emerge victorious in the competitive landscape of Hollywood.