Theater counts: Strange World becomes widest release while Violent Night smashes its way into theaters

December 1, 2022

After a slew of new wide releases made their way into movie theaters over the Thanksgiving Holiday, we see only one true new wide release coming to cinemas this week in the way of Christmas action-comedy, Violent Night. Joining Violent Night is a familiar face, as Top Gun: Maverick soars in for a two week theatrical engagement in 1,864 locations before making its streaming debut on Paramount+ starting December 22. Tom Cruise’s epic jet fighter sequel currently sits at number 5 on the all-time domestic box office chart with over $716 million in earnings. The widest release this week however belongs to last week’s newcomer, Strange World, keeping its opening count of 4,174 locations from its under-performing debut week.

Still dominating at the box office is $682 million global earner Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The Marvel super-hero sequel drops a few theaters this week, landing at a still impressive 3,855 cinemas, but sliding into the second place slot at latest count. The third-widest release is the aforementioned Violent Night. The action-comedy stars David Harbour as Santa Claus who must battle mercenaries after they break into a wealthy home and take everyone hostage. Co-starring John Leguizamo, Cam Gigandet and Beverly D'Angelo, the film debuts in 3,682 theaters. Beginning its sophomore effort after earning nearly $11 million in its first eight days, Devotion holds steady with its opening count of 3,405. Lastly, The Menu takes the final spot among the top five widest releases, as it is still available in 2,810 movie houses.

Two special engagements enter North American theaters this week in today’s opening of I Heard the Bells and Friday’s release of the anime feature, Crunchyroll’s The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie, docking in at an estimated 1,200 and 1,000 theaters respectively.

There are some interesting options in the limited release category this week as well. The latest from Focus Features is the autobiographical drama, Spoiler Alert. Landing in six locations before expanding wide next week, the film is a life-affirming story of how a relationship is transformed and deepened when one of them falls ill. Appearing in five movie houses this week is 2nd Chance. The documentary traces Richard Davis, the man who invented the modern-day bullet proof vest, who to prove that it worked, shot himself — point blank — 192 times. Making their theatrical debuts in one location each this week is the 1960s set drama, Framing Agnes and The Quiet Epidemic.

Next week will be another slow week, with only one true wide release arriving in theaters as Brendan Fraser’s The Whale will make its theatrical launch. Also coming to theaters next week is Empire of Light. The 1980s-set drama is expected to land in 105 venues. Expanding next week, Spoiler Alert looks to increase available viewing locations to 600.

Note: The theater counts for I Heard the Bells and The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie are estimates from Box Office Pro.

Theater Counts for December 2

Estimates for December 9

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Top Gun, Black Panther, Tom Cruise, Brendan Fraser, Beverly D'Angelo, Cam Gigandet, David Harbour, John Leguizamo