In an unexpected turn of events, Mel Gibson's latest directorial endeavor, 'Flight Risk', has soared to the top of the box office, despite facing a barrage of criticism from critics and a lukewarm reception from audiences. Opening with a modest $12 million, this Lionsgate thriller, featuring Mark Wahlberg, takes the number one spot during a characteristically slow January weekend.
The film's narrative, revolving around a pilot, an Air Marshal, and a fugitive's tense journey across the icy landscapes of Alaska, has not resonated well with critics — scoring a mere 21% on Rotten Tomatoes. Nevertheless, it managed to secure viewer interest, albeit limited, amidst strong competition.
Recent discussions in Hollywood were more inclined towards the prestigious Sundance Film Festival and the much-anticipated Oscar nominations, both of which helped steer eyes away from the cinemas momentarily. The cinematic landscape is also witnessing shifts, with more contenders banking on Video on Demand (VOD) and streaming platforms rather than traditional theatrical runs.
A24 took a bold step by launching 'The Brutalist', a three-and-a-half-hour epic, nominated for numerous Academy Awards. Earning $6 million in a limited release before going wider with an additional $2.9 million, this film defied initial expectations of being 'un-distributable.' Running with an intermission, its critical acclaim has contributed to its growing popularity.
However, other Oscar hopefuls like RaMell Ross's 'Nickel Boys' struggled to draw crowds, bringing in just $340,171 across 540 locations. Despite utilizing innovative filmmaking techniques, it couldn't match the broader appeal needed to compete with major releases.
Neon also released Steven Soderbergh's 'Presence', a unique horror film viewed from a ghost's perspective. Despite being shot on a modest $2 million budget, it opened to $3.4 million across 1,750 theaters, marking a modest success for this unconventional narrative.
Meanwhile, some familiar faces continue to perform well. Disney's 'Mufasa: The Lion King', in its sixth weekend, remains strong with $8.7 million, reinforcing its global collection to an impressive $626.7 million. In contrast, 'One of Them Days', a comedy led by Keke Palmer and SZA, maintained momentum with $8 million, posting a small dip of just 32% in its second week.
As we await the final domestic figures, it appears that 'Flight Risk,' despite its critical panning, has managed to captivate enough of an audience to claim box office dominance during a quiet period. Future weekends will reveal if its flight holds or if the turbulence will finally bring it down.
Here are the estimated ticket sales from Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters:
- 1. Flight Risk: $12 million
- 2. Mufasa: The Lion King: $8.7 million
- 3. One of Them Days: $8 million
- 4. Sonic the Hedgehog 3: $5.5 million
- 5. Moana 2: $4.3 million
- 6. Presence: $3.4 million
- 7. Wolf Man: $3.4 million
- 8. A Complete Unknown: $3.1 million
- 9. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera: $3 million
- 10. The Brutalist: $2.9 million
