'Wonka' Ends the Year No. 1 at the Box Office, 2023 Sales Reach $9 Billion in Post-Pandemic Best
Hollywood closed out 2023 with 'Wonka' regaining No. 1 at the box office, strong sales for 'The Color Purple,' and an overall $9 billion in ticket sales.
Hollywood Closes Out 2023 with 'Wonka' on Top
Hollywood concluded 2023 with the musical 'Wonka' reclaiming the No. 1 spot at the box office. The Warner Bros. release, directed by Paul King and starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka, earned an estimated $24 million over the weekend and $31.8 million over the four-day New Year's weekend. Its domestic total now stands at $142.5 million.
The top-selling films over the New Year's weekend included a mix of titles such as 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' 'The Boys in the Boat,' 'Migration,' 'Ferrari,' 'The Iron Claw,' and 'Anyone But You.' Although there was no standout blockbuster, 'Wonka' remained the audience's first choice.
'The Color Purple' Makes Strong Debut
Blitz Bazawule's adaptation of the stage musical 'The Color Purple,' based on Alice Walker's novel, debuted on Christmas and led box office sales with $18 million. The Warner Bros. release has continued to perform well, amassing $50 million in ticket sales, including $13 million over the weekend. Starring Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, and Danielle Brooks, the film is expected to fare well during awards season and has received positive ratings from audiences.
The production, which cost around $100 million, features producers Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Quincy Jones, and has garnered multiple Golden Globe nominations with prospects for recognition at the Oscars.
Box Office Reaches $9 Billion in 2023
Despite the absence of a major blockbuster during the holiday season, the overall box office sales for 2023 in the U.S. and Canadian theaters surpassed $9 billion. This marks the first time since the pandemic began that the industry has achieved this milestone. The ticket sales for the year increased by 21% compared to 2022.
However, the $9 billion figure falls short of the pre-pandemic revenue of over $11 billion seen in previous years. The strikes by actors and writers, which led to production delays and the postponement of several highly anticipated films, contributed to the challenging year for the industry. With upcoming releases already being postponed for 2024, Hollywood faces the task of adapting to changing audience preferences.
