Box Office: Timothee Chalamet's 'Wonka' opens to $39M. Know about other musicals to open this year

The Timothee Chalamet-led 'Wonka' collected $14.4 million from 4,203 theaters at the box office on its opening day of Friday. With previews’ $14.4 million, it went up to an estimated $39 million. It is better than the $35.3 million start that 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse collected in the same mid-December slot in 2018. 'Wonka' is a whimsical origin tale about the magical candyman Willy Wonka. Wonka was played by Gene Wilder in the classic movie 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'. Harry Potter franchise producer David Heyman has tried on a genre that has struggled in recent times.

Younger audiences like most

While 60% of Friday tickets were bought by people in the age group between 18 and 34, the largest quad was 18 to 24 at 33%. As another 10 percent of ticket buyers were between 13 and 17, it became clear that younger moviegoers liked it most. Besides, 'Wonka' is skewing slightly female so far, or 54% audience.

Star-studded ensemble cast

The film has a star-studded ensemble cast, including Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Calah Lane, Paterson Joseph and Matt Lucas. Besides, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Natasha Rothwell, Rich Fulcher, Rakhee Thakrar, Tom Davis and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith have also acted in 'Wonka'.

Checkered history of musical genre

The musical genre has a mixed result and checkered history, but Wonka and 'Color Purple' may to reverse this curse. Wonka may match the success of films including the Hugh Jackman-led The Greatest Showman, which debuted to dismal numbers over Christmas in 2017 but then took hold and amassed a fortune.

Wonka is one of the first Hollywood movies to be released since the SAG-AFTRA strike ended. Warners and the filmmakers were able to send Chalamet to promote and publicize the PG-rated film.

Movies to open soon

Warners dominate the year-end scenario. DC superhero pic Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will open on December 22. It will be followed on Christmas Day by 'The Color Purple', which is also a musical. Universal and Illumination the original animated event pic Migration will come out on December 22.

FAQs:

How did Wonka perform at the box office on the opening day?
'Wonka' collected $14.4 million from 4,203 theaters at the box office on its opening day of Friday. With previews’ $14.4 million, it went up to $39 million. It is better than the $35.3 million start that 'Spider-Man: Into the 'Spider-Verse' collected in the same mid-December slot in 2018.

Which other films will open this year?
DC superhero movie 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' will open on December 22. It will be followed on Christmas Day by 'The Color Purple', which is also a musical. Universal and Illumination the original animated event pic 'Migration will come out on December 22.