Overview of the US business for the week of November 23

The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock 400 years ago, establishing a new home in The New World.  The following year, they celebrated the first Thanksgiving with their Native American neighbors to thank them for having provided the food that helped sustain them through their first winter in America.  This week we celebrate the Thanksgiving spirit of neighbors (and colleagues) helping each other make it through times of scarcity.

Universal's horror comedy Freaky continues to lead the box office for a second week, earning $1.2M at 2,057 locations in North America and a $5.6M cume after 10 days. 101 Studios' The War with Grandpa continues to draw movie goers in its 7th week in theatres, earning $733K this weekend and a $16.2M cume.

Click here to watch our Popcorn Previews Boxoffice Buzz video, time travelling this weekend to look at some of the biggest THANKSGIVING HITS over the past decade.

Our Industry News summary focuses on the change in distribution models being worked out actively between studios and exhibitors. Cinemark and Cineplex announced agreements with Universal to play the studio's titles with as little as 17-days in exclusive theatrical release.  North America's 3rd and 4th largest exhibitors cast their lot in with #1 AMC, which announced a similar agreement with Universal in July. We also discuss the Warner Bros. announcement that they will maintain a planned 12/25 debut for Wonder Woman 1984 in US theaters, but also make it available on the same day to stream on HBOMax.  While the long-term implications of these novel distribution agreements are unclear, exhibitors are relieved to have a veritable blockbuster to play in their theatres. 

Gower Street analyzes the varied impact of COVID-19 on the top 12 box office markets worldwide. All territories have been impacted significantly, but some more so.  Looking forward, Martin Grove's Hollywood Report offers an outlook for the recovery of the box office once the widespread availability of the coronavirus vaccine takes hold.

We conclude with our regular film data tables. The Weekly Film Calendar provides details on film releases through January. We report on last week's studio release changes, MPAA film ratings and availability of important new trailers.

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