This weekend, the top 20 films at the Australian box office grossed $9,639,389, a 5% increase from last weekend’s $9,185,921. The per-screen average was $2,617, up from $2,595 last week.
Top five
1. The Bad Guys 2
It’s weekend 2 of the film, distributed locally by Universal Pictures. This sequel brought back voice stars Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Richard Ayoade, Zazie Beetz, and Alex Borstein, while adding new voice talent including Natasha Lyonne.
The film had been sitting on the shelf for a little while, waiting for the local school holidays to start last weekend (in VIC and QLD). This weekend saw NSW kids also now on holidays. It saw release first in the UK on 25 July, with the US following it a week later on 1 August.
The film pulled in $1,970,968 over the weekend across 388 screens. Since release, the film has netted $6,583,247.
Synopsis: Reformed criminals Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark and Ms. Tarantula are trying very hard to be good. However, they soon find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes heist that’s masterminded by a new team of delinquents they never saw coming… the Bad Girls.
2. One Battle After Another
While director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood) is loved by critics and art-house crowds, his films have never been big box office draws. The team at Warner Bros took a gamble on his latest film, commanding the biggest budget of PTA’s career – a reported US$130 million. It’s certainly the biggest crowd-pleaser he’s ever made.
Mediaweek’s editor insists that it is the best movie of the year and won’t stop talking about it.
The film pulled in $1,868,986 over the weekend across 372 screens. Since release, the film has brought in $2,058,856.
Synopsis: Bob is a washed-up revolutionary who lives in a state of stoned paranoia, surviving off-grid with his spirited and self-reliant daughter, Willa. When his evil nemesis resurfaces and Willa goes missing, the former radical scrambles to find her as both father and daughter battle the consequences of their pasts.
3. The Conjuring: Last Rites
Now in week four of release locally, the Warner Bros picture brought back franchise stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga for what is expected to be one last film.
The film pulled in $932,607 over the weekend across 270 screens. Since release, the film has brought in $13,170,979.
Synopsis: In 1986 paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren travel to Pennsylvania to vanquish a demon from a family’s home.
4. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie
The spin-off from the popular Netflix animated show has made the leap to the big screen in this crowd-pleaser for anyone in your home who considers unicorns and rainbows to be among life’s great pleasures. Series star Laila Lockhart Kraner is joined in the film by Gloria Estefan and Kristen Wiig in a beyond-daffy performance that delivers genuine LOLs.
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie isn’t going to do much to thrill adults in the room, but Mediaweek did experience the film in a packed theatre with a few hundred age-appropriate audience members who all had a blast.
The film pulled in $802,174 over the weekend across 308 screens. Since release, the film has brought in $1,731,602.
Synopsis: When Gabby’s dollhouse, her most prized possession, ends up in the hands of an eccentric cat lady named Vera, she sets off on an adventure through the real world to get the Gabby Cats back together before it’s too late.
5. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle
Now in week 2 of release, the global smash hit Sony anime film is this year’s highest grossing film in Japan and the eighth highest-grossing film globally. The film is a spin-off from the Dragon Slayer anime TV show and directly follows on the fourth season of the show.
The film pulled in $748,455 over the weekend across 230 screens. Since release, the film has brought in $8,761,158.
Synopsis: Tanjiro Kamado and other members of the Demon Slayer Corps find themselves in an epic battle at Infinity Castle.
Rounding out the top 10 this week:
6. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale – $684,105 (total gross: $4,937,616)
7. Kangaroo – $620,850 (total gross: $1,749,920)
8. OG – $555,346 (total gross: $555,346)
9. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey – $398,511 (total gross: $1,677,879)
10. The Roses – $223,255 (total gross: $3,881,918)