Warner Bros.’ fantasy musical Wonka, featuring the always captivating Timothee Chalamet in the lead role, experienced a delectable opening weekend at North American theaters, garnering an estimated $39 million in the United States and Canada for the Friday-through-Sunday period.
This triumphant performance followed an equally impressive debut overseas, where the film earned a stellar $112 million in ticket sales during its opening week.
Industry analysts have hailed the film’s success, with David A. Gross noting, “This is an excellent opening,” emphasizing that family-friendly films released in December often gain momentum throughout the holiday season. Gross added, “Momentum is very good.”
Wonka is a prequel that introduces Timothee Chalamet as a younger version of Roald Dahl’s iconic chocolatier, Willy Wonka, a character originally portrayed by Gene Wilder and later by Johnny Depp. The film also boasts a star-studded cast, including Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, and, in a unique twist, Hugh Grant in his first appearance as an Oompa-Loompa.
The success of Wonka propelled it to the top of the box office charts, outshining other contenders. Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, another prequel, secured the second spot with an impressive $5.8 million over the weekend, showcasing remarkable staying power in its fifth week of release.
Wonka is expected to continue drawing audiences, benefiting from positive reviews and the holiday season’s family-oriented moviegoing traditions. With its enchanting storyline and the charismatic performance of Timothee Chalamet, the film appears poised for continued success at the box office in the weeks to come.
