Universal’s war drama 1917 took command of the North American box office this weekend, riding its Golden Globes success to earn an estimated $36.5 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
The film’s unexpectedly strong showing was timely, with Oscar nominations set to be announced on Monday. Last Sunday it won Golden Globes—often a predictor of Oscar success—for both best drama and best director (Sam Mendes).
1917, filmed as if in one long, continuous shot — one critic called it a “protean display of virtuoso filmmaking”—flourished despite a lack of A-list stars. The central characters, two British lance corporals on a desperate mission, are played by George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman; Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch have minor roles.
Disney’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, fell to second place after a month in first with a take of $15.1 million. The finale of the nine-film Skywalker Saga has now taken in a global total just shy of $1 billion.
In third, down one spot from last weekend, was Sony’s action sequel Jumanji: The Next Level, which earned $14 million for third place in the Friday-through-Sunday period. It stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart.
Tied for fourth place were Paramount’s new release Like a Boss and Warner Bros. drama Just Mercy, each with $10 million.
Like a Boss stars Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne, and Salma Hayek in the story of two friends whose small beauty company is targeted by an industry titan.