Nickel Boys opened in limited release this weekend and got off to a strong start.
The Amazon/MGM Studios and Orion Pictures film played in two locations in New York and earned a projected $60,844, for a per theater average of $30,422, according to box office tracking company Comscore.
On Dec. 20, the film expands to additional theaters in New York and Los Angeles, then opens nationwide in January.
The drama is an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s bestselling novel, The Nickel Boys, about two African American teenagers sent to a notorious and violent reform school in Florida.
Related: ‘Nickel Boys’ Named Best Picture by African American Film Critics
The main cast includes Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.
RaMell Ross directed the movie and wrote the script with Joslyn Barnes. Producers include Barnes, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and David Levine.
Brad Pitt, Gabby Shepard, Emily Wolfe, Kenneth Yu and Chadwick Prichard are executive producers.
Nickel Boys was just named best picture of the year by the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA). The Chicago Film Critics Association selected Ross as best director. The film has also picked up Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards nominations.
At the box office, Moana 2 was the No. 1 movie for a third straight weekend. The animated Disney film earned another $26.6 million, bringing its domestic total through Sunday to $337.5 million, Comscore reported.
Wicked took second place in its fourth weekend with $22.5 million. Kraven the Hunter debuted in third place with $11 million.
Gladiator II took fourth place with $7.8 million Friday through Sunday in its fourth week.
The animated Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim opened in fifth place with $4.6 million.
Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King and Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 both open next weekend, bringing a showdown to theaters — and potentially massive ticket sales. Stay tuned.
Below is this week’s box office chart from Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian:
Please note according to @Comscore @csMoviesUS @CSGlobalMovies, this weekend’s overall total estimated 3-day Domestic box office is at an estimated $88M plus (up about 13% vs. the same weekend ago at $70.7M when “Wonka” opened to $39M but dominated that weekend at 49% of the… pic.twitter.com/juUVhxegdk
— Paul Dergarabedian (@PDergarabedian) December 15, 2024
