It’s a well known fact that the Harry Potter franchise is a box office juggernaut and with original writer J.K. Rowley coming back to pen the script for the prequel, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them; it was no doubt that the film would be making a ton of money over the weekend. The film was able to bring in $75 million and destroy all of the rest of it’s competition. It’s not to say that previous weeks winner Doctor Strange didn’t try and put up a fight, but it never really stood a chance.
As it stands, Strange has now made more than $494 million and is one of Marvel’s top grossing films according to Variety. Great numbers for the Mouse House, but nothing compared to what the Harry Potter brand has done through the years. According to Statistic Brain the franchise has done over $7.2 billion at the Box Office with 8 films; while Marvel has only $4.1 billion with 14 films.
The other films to debut this weekend were The Edge of Seventeen and Bleed For This. The were able to earn $4.8 million and $2.4 million respectively. As you can see by the rest of the Top Ten below, Beasts was able to earn more than all of their totals combined.
1. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them $75 million
2. Doctor Strange $17.7 million
3. Trolls $17.5 million
4. Arrival $11.8 million
5. Almost Christmas $7 million
6. Hacksaw Ridge $6.8 million
7. The Edge of Seventeen $4.8 million
8. Bleed for This $2.4 million
9. The Accountant $2.1 million
10. Shut In $1.6 million
Though, the year is far from over when it comes to the Box Office, the much anticipated Disney’s Moana will be released next weekend and is said to destroy all of the rest of it’s competition. We also have the return of Billy Bob Thorton in Bad Santa 2. Which one of these will try and compete against Fantastic Beasts for #1? Find out on the next edition of Weekend Roundup!
