‘Mean Girls’ Three-Peats’ At Number One During Dismal Box Office Weekend

Mean Girls was able to maintain the top spot for a third weekend in a row but it was a pretty dismal showing at the box office as January looks to end with a whimper.

Mean Girls grossed $6.9 million over the weekend which represented a 40.8 percent drop from the previous frame. I much better hold than its second weekend drop but Mean Girls almost wasn’t in place for a number one finish this weekend. Original estimates had The Beekeeper coming out ahead in its third weekend because the film bested the musical on Saturday ($3.4 million vs. $3.27 million). The Plastics were able to come out ahead of the male-drive action film on Sunday thanks in large part to football games airing that determined the Chiefs and the 49ers would be heading to the Super Bowl.

It’s hard to celebrate a weekend when the number one film grossed so little but let’s not ruin all of Mean Girls’ shine. The film is performing well despite being very frontloaded during the MLK weekend and it will be remembered, along with The Beekeeper, for being a bright spot during this very slow January month. At this rate, the movie won’t match the original’s $86 million domestic take but it’s a hit nonetheless. To date, Mean Girls has grossed $61.9 million domestically and $84.5 million worldwide on a $36 million budget.

The Beekeeper placed closely in second with $6.7 million, down a slim 22.4 percent from last weekend. This film is generating decent word of mouth and is playing well with its target audience. $50 million+ domestic is not out of the question now, although it does face a bit of direct competition from Argylle this weekend. Thanks in large part to Jason Statham, the movie is also playing well internationally and has grossed $105.5 million globally so far with $43.6 million of that coming from the domestic box office.

Wonka matches its placement last week in third place with a gross of $5.6 million, down just 15.7 percent from last weekend. Wonka is continuing to generate business because of a lack of offerings in the marketplace but this should not be seen as a dig. Much of its big business took place coming into the new year. It was a bonafide hit before and now it’s just picking up more coin to hit more box office milestones. The next one? $200 million domestic is for sure happening now as its domestic take stands at $196 million. The film is also a huge global hit, taking in $553.3 million worldwide to date.

Migration continues to do respectable business in fourth place with a gross of $4.8 million. Down 10.3 percent from last weekend, that’s actually the best hold of the Top 10 this week. Migration is holding business because there aren’t other offerings out there for kids and families, except Wonka, but everyone doesn’t love a musical. This weekend the animated release cruised by the $100 million mark at the domestic box office so that has to be considered a win. To date, Migration has grossed $101.8 million domestically and $207.3 million worldwide.

Rounding out the Top 5 is the rom-com hit, Anyone But You, which grossed $4.6 million, also down a small 14.4 percent from the previous weekend. Word of mouth continues to carry this one and reports of an extended version hitting theaters for Valentine’s Day could give the film a significant second life. To date, Anyone But You has grossed $72.3 million domestically and $128.2 million worldwide.

What are your thoughts on this weekend’s box office? Check back next weekend when the $200 million Argylle hopes to breathe some life into the box office.