- Wonka is projected to make $20 million to $23 million during its opening weekend.
- The film has the advantage of opening during the Christmas holiday, potentially attracting families to theaters.
- Despite competition from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Wonka’s PG rating could appeal to families seeking a more kid-friendly movie option.
Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet, is scheduled for release in December and is expected to make $20 million to $23 million during its opening weekend, according to The Quorum. The reputable box office tracking site typically does not track a film six weeks ahead of time, but Wonka has been under their radar since before the release of Barbie and Oppenheimer.
The Quorum previously assessed Wonka for the year’s fourth quarter, stating, “Maybe this one [Wonka] secures a few technical or music nominations. But, more than anything, this one looks like a four-quadrant Christmas crowd pleaser. Interest for WONKA already sits at 55%. That’s the 3rd highest among all films being tracked by The Quorum.”
With a production budget of approximately $125 million, a domestic opening weekend of $20 million to $23 million might not meet Warner Bros.’ expectations. However, the Christmas holiday could help boost ticket sales, especially among families.
Wonka will be released just before the Christmas holiday, on the last night of Hanukkah (Friday, December 15). Rated PG for “some violence, mild language and thematic elements,” the musical adventure is expected to attract family audiences during the holiday season. Major competition for the film comes from James Wan’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which opens in theaters the following week.
Recent box office hits on Christmas Day, such as Avatar: The Way of Water, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, demonstrate that Wonka may face challenges in capturing holiday revenue due to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. However, with a PG-13 rating, families seeking a more kid-friendly movie option might choose Wonka over the King of Atlantis. Wonka opens in theaters on Friday, December 15.