Title: “Mean Girls Musical Dominates Box Office as “The Beekeeper” and “The Book of Clarence” Struggle”
Paramount’s highly-anticipated musical adaptation of “Mean Girls” has taken the box office by storm, raking in a whopping $32 million during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Based on the iconic 2004 movie, the film was originally intended for release on Paramount+, but positive test screening results prompted a theatrical release instead.
While the film managed to charm its domestic audience, securing $6.5 million internationally, it is yet to hit major territories, which are expected to further boost its earnings. Of the moviegoers, a staggering 76% were female, with 60% being under the age of 25. This wide appeal showcased the continuing popularity and resonance of the “Mean Girls” franchise.
Critics and audiences, however, seemed somewhat divided on the film, evidenced by its mixed “B+” CinemaScore. Some speculate that this could be due to certain viewers not realizing that the movie incorporates musical elements. Nevertheless, its strong opening suggests that “Mean Girls” has successfully made the transition from the big screen to the stage.
In a separate box office debut, director David Ayer’s action-packed thriller, “The Beekeeper,” arrived in second place with a respectable $16.8 million. The film’s international release is anticipated to attract even greater attention, especially with the star power of leading actor Jason Statham.
Unfortunately, “The Book of Clarence,” a biblical satire from Sony and Legendary, experienced a disappointing start, earning a mere $3.1 million. Hopes were high for this unique take on religious themes, but it seems that it failed to resonate with audiences in its initial release.
In other box office news, Warner Bros.’ fantasy musical “Wonka,” starring Timothรฉe Chalamet, maintained its position in third place with $11 million. Meanwhile, Sony’s comedy “Anyone but You” saw a climb to the fourth spot, earning a respectable $8.5 million over the long weekend.
Rounding up the top five was Universal and Illumination’s animated comedy “Migration,” collecting $6.1 million. While not as high-profile as the other releases, it still managed to entertain audiences and secure a respectable position at the box office.
In more indie news, A24’s holocaust drama “The Zone of Interest” impressed with its limited release on just 25 screens, grossing over $1 million. With such a strong opening and positive critical reception, the film looks set to enter the esteemed awards race.
Overall, the box office witnessed the triumphant rise of “Mean Girls” as it dominated the charts, while “The Beekeeper” held its own among the competition. Meanwhile, “The Book of Clarence” struggled, and smaller films like “Wonka,” “Anyone but You,” and “Migration” found success in their own right. As the year unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these films continue to perform and capture the hearts of moviegoers.
“Travel aficionado. Incurable bacon specialist. Tv evangelist. Wannabe internet enthusiast. Typical creator.”