DreamWorks tests new strategy as 'Croods' opens with $14.2M

Last week “Croods: A New Age,” the second theatrical film starring the DreamWorks animated caveman family led by patriarch Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage), scored the biggest box office opening since “Tenet” debuted ion early September.
Last week “Croods: A New Age,” the second theatrical film starring the DreamWorks animated caveman family led by patriarch Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage), scored the biggest box office opening since “Tenet” debuted ion early September.

NEW YORK -- Testing a novel release strategy, Universal Pictures' animated sequel "The Croods: A New Age" had one of the best opening weekends of the pandemic, grossing $14.2 million over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Whereas new releases have traditionally lasted about 90 days in theaters, Universal has mapped out a shorted theatrical window in deals with major chains AMC and Cinemark that gives the studio the option to move new releases to premium video-on-demand after just 17 days. "The Croods: A New Age" is expected to shift to the home before Christmas for a $20 rental.

"The Croods: A New Age" grossed $9.7 million Friday-Sunday, which rivals even the weekend start for "Tenet" in September. Warner Bros. didn't break down the three-day weekend figures for "Tenet," which began preview screenings in the United States on a Monday, but said it grossed $20.2 million in its first week in U.S. theaters plus its first two weeks in Canadian theaters.

While the opening for "The Croods: A New Age" was something Hollywood hadn't seen in months -- a movie that outperformed expectations -- it was still only a sliver of what the industry usually sees in the typically busy holiday movie season. Last year, "Frozen II" led all films over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend with $123.7 million, while "Knives Out" scored $41.7 million

Since "Tenet" opened, most larger releases have been postponed or detoured to digital, sometimes while still playing in theaters overseas. The Walt Disney Co. steered "Mulan" to a premium purchase on Disney+ but opened in China and elsewhere. This month, Warner Bros. will release "Wonder Woman 1984" simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters. Disney has uprooted the Pixar animation "Soul" to its streaming platform.

That has left smaller films to lead what's left of the box office -- about 40% of the normal number of theaters. Most have tapped out around $4 million on opening weekend. The Kevin Costner and Diane Lane film "Let Him Go" debuted with $4.1 million in ticket sales from 2,454 locations earlier this month. The body-swap horror movie "Freaky," with Vince Vaughn, has been No. 1 the last two weekends after debuting with $3.7 million.

One of the biggest differences is that Universal spent more heavily to market the $65 million "Croods" sequel from DreamWorks Animation. It played in 2,211 locations or about half the usual amount for such a release.

This image released by DreamWorks shows Guy, voiced by Ryan Reynolds, left, and Eep Crood, voiced by Emma Stone, in a scene from the animated film "The Croods: A New Age." (DreamWorks Animation via AP)
This image released by DreamWorks shows Guy, voiced by Ryan Reynolds, left, and Eep Crood, voiced by Emma Stone, in a scene from the animated film "The Croods: A New Age." (DreamWorks Animation via AP)
This image released by DreamWorks shows Grug Crood, voiced by Nicolas Cage, in a scene from the animated film "The Croods: A New Age." (DreamWorks Animation via AP)
This image released by DreamWorks shows Grug Crood, voiced by Nicolas Cage, in a scene from the animated film "The Croods: A New Age." (DreamWorks Animation via AP)

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