Box office: ‘Kraven the Hunter’ flops while ‘Moana 2’ tops, again
The Box Office Weekend Report: “Kraven the Hunter” Flops, “Moana 2” Reigns Supreme
The much-anticipated Spider-Man spinoff film, “Kraven the Hunter,” failed to make a mark in North American theaters this past weekend. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the movie only managed to earn a dismal US$11 million, making it one of the lowest openings for a Marvel-related property. Surprisingly, its box office performance was even worse than that of “Madame Web.”
On the other hand, Warner Bros.’ animated film, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” brought in US$4.6 million. Set 183 years before the events of the original “Lord of the Rings” films, this movie was produced to safeguard the rights to Tolkien’s novels and has been receiving attention from fans eagerly awaiting future live-action installments in the franchise.
Despite the lackluster performance of “Kraven the Hunter,” the top spots at the box office were still dominated by “Moana 2” and “Wicked.” The sequel to the beloved Disney film added US$26.6 million domestically and US$57.2 million internationally, reaching a global total of US$717 million. Meanwhile, “Wicked” continued its successful run, accumulating over US$359 million in the US and over US$500 million worldwide.
“Kraven the Hunter” is just the latest disappointment from Sony’s attempts to expand the Spider-Man universe without the iconic web-slinger. Joining the ranks of underperforming spinoffs like “Madame Web” and “Morbius,” the film struggled to resonate with audiences and critics alike. The only exception to this trend has been the “Venom” trilogy, which has generated over US$1.8 billion worldwide.
Directed by J.C. Chandor, “Kraven the Hunter” faced numerous delays, including those caused by industry strikes. Despite earning US$15 million internationally, the film’s prospects for long-term success seem bleak, given its poor critical reception and audience feedback. With a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a CinemaScore of C, the R-rated movie may struggle to find its footing in the competitive box office landscape.
Looking ahead, the box office is gearing up for the release of highly anticipated films like “Mufasa” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” Additionally, a diverse range of awards contenders and adult-oriented movies such as “Babygirl,” “Nosferatu,” and “A Complete Unknown” are set to hit theaters soon, promising a vibrant end to the year for cinema enthusiasts.
Despite initial challenges, the box office has shown remarkable recovery since June, with the current year-on-year deficit standing at just 4.8%. As audiences eagerly await upcoming releases and the holiday season approaches, the film industry is poised for an exciting and dynamic conclusion to 2024.
