‘Greatest Showman’ Becomes a Sleeper Hit as Disrespected Films Flourish
It sold roughly $3.4 million in tickets at 896 theaters, for a new total of $6.2 million.
And when initial ticket sales were poor, most box office analysts decided “The Greatest Showman”
was a prime example of Hollywood being unable to pry people away from their Netflix accounts.
The darkly comedic Tonya Harding biopic “I, Tonya” (Neon) was close behind, collecting about $3 million
in 799 theaters, for a total since arriving in limited release on Dec. 8 of $14.7 million.
“12 Strong,” starring Chris Hemsworth and based on the nonfiction book “Horse Soldiers,” about
a Special Forces operation in Afghanistan after Sept. 11, sold about $16.5 million in tickets.
Next came two new dramas — critical duds both — aimed at older men, a fickle group that studios rarely focus on anymore.
And the gay romance “Call Me By Your Name” (Sony Pictures Classics) took in $1.5 million from 815 theaters, for a per-screen average of $1,847
and a total since arriving on Nov. 24 of $9.2 million.