Timothée Chalamet's 'Wonka' steals Christmas box office crown, while 'Aquaman 2' struggles

Amidst a subdued atmosphere in Hollywood this holiday season, the portrayal of Timothée Chalamet in 'Wonka' has emerged as the standout highlight in this year's Christmas box office, overshadowing the tepid response to DC's 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.'

A comparison between the Wednesday box office earnings of this season and the pre-pandemic period in 2019 reveals a striking decline of 52 percent, casting a shadow over the prospects of both movie studios and theater proprietors.

Following a momentary loss of its top position to 'Aquaman 2' during the extended Dec. 22-25 weekend, 'Wonka' swiftly regained its lead on Tuesday and Wednesday.


With North American earnings crossing $100 million, the musical surged ahead with a robust $8 million in domestic ticket sales on Wednesday, totaling an impressive $102.5 million.

On the other hand, the sequel headlined by Jason Momoa, 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' faced hurdles, amassing a modest $52.5 million domestically within its initial six days. Despite crossing the $100 million mark in international earnings, it notably trails the success of its predecessor.

Following a slow start during Christmas weekend, 'Migration' by Illumination and Universal ascended to the second position, earning $6.3 million on Wednesday, totaling $30.6 million domestically. 'Aquaman 2' trailed in third place with $5.9 million.

With schools mostly closed this week, Universal anticipates a surge in 'Migration' viewership post-holiday season, capitalizing on the unwrapping of presents.

'The Color Purple,' a musical adaptation produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, secured the fourth spot with $3.9 million on Wednesday. Despite a dazzling $18 million opening on Christmas Day, its domestic total stands at $29 million as of Wednesday, outperforming initial expectations. Yet, questions linger about its sustained momentum, evident in a steep 45 percent drop from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Comparatively, 'Migration' saw a mere 4 percent decline, while 'Wonka' and 'Aquaman 2' dropped by 25 percent and 29 percent, respectively, following the industry trend of reduced midweek numbers due to Tuesday's discounted pricing.

Sony's 'Anyone but You,' a romantic comedy, defied the norm, witnessing a 1 percent increase in Wednesday's earnings, reaching $2.6 million and accumulating $13.3 million domestically.

Meanwhile, George Clooney's 'The Boys in the Boat' by MGM and Amazon secured the sixth spot with $2.5 million and a commendable three-day domestic total of $11.2 million. 'Ferrari' by Neon, landing at No. 8 on Wednesday with $1.2 million, marked an early total of $5.6 million, trailing 'The Color Purple' and showcasing a diverse lineup of movies released on Christmas Day.