By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
“The Best Man Holiday” was one of the most highly anticipated black films of the year, and now the box office numbers shows the film has exceeded expectations numbers wise in its first weekend in theaters. Although the movie did not beat out “Thor,” it came in a close second and proved that black films can be a force to be reckoned with even if the film isn’t based on box office favorites such as slavery and black maids/butlers.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the film has pulled in about $30.6 million (Thor brought in $38.5 million) in its opening weekend. And if that’s not a big achievement in itself, the movie’s grade with moviegoers is a A+ according to CinemaScore. This is a very big deal since a high CinemaScore means the film should continue to perform strongly while out in theaters.
Universal Pictures originally projected that the film would pull in about $17 million in its first weekend, while some surveys claimed it would bring in around $23 million.
Nikki Rocco, Universal’s president of distribution, says the numbers are “phenomenal” and the studio didn’t expect the film to bring in these kinds of opening numbers:
“There’s no crystal ball in guessing this stuff. It was fair to think this film— where 87% of the audience was African American—would open in the high teens.
“I would never have thought in my most non-lucid moment to expect this — the picture only cost $17-million.”
We’re glad the film did so well. But if you haven’t seen it yet, we highly recommend it. We think it’s even better than the first, but make sure you bring a box of tissues. You’ll need it.
This movie was soooooooo good!
I’m not surprised. This movie was great!!!!! So I’m happy for all involved.
This movie had me crying like a little biotch. LOL. It was awesome though.
I really enjoyed it. I cried and laugh, which is all I could ask for from a film. Great work!
I loved it! Now I can’t wait for Catching Fire. Yes!
Yeah i think it was better than the first one too. I might see it again just to keep supporting. I love great black films.
I think it’s a great movie. I enjoyed it because I felt like it had some great messages that most of us needed to take in. It was an emotional roller coaster though. One minute Terrence Howard has me cracking up, the next I’m literally in tears from sadness.
I still haven’t seen it! I’m going on Friday though. 🙂
If it did this good, that means they will make another one. They were going to base it off the box office numbers. So I’m happy it did well.
Yassss!!!! I love it!!!!
I cried y’all. Like mascara running down my face and everything. LOL.
You weren’t the only one. There wasn’t a dry eye in the theater. Even men were crying a little. LOL.
They got my money last weekend. And I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
Good! The ending makes me think that they will do another one.
Same thing I said.
Yes.
Going to see it this week! Heard nothing but positive reviews.
The movie was great. Thought I was going to have to go back to look at the first movie, but they flashed it back to remind us how it all played out. I love how they really tied the sequel to the original movie, genius. And yes, this movie will have you all in your feelings. Been a while since I have seen a great black movie. Kudos.
I just seen it thinking nobody was going to be at the matinee huh it was packed.That was a great movie. I cried soo much. This is one of the few sequels that lived up to all the hype.