New Year, New Box-Office Strategies: ‘Nosferatu,’ ‘A Complete Unknown,’ and ‘Babygirl’ Create Success

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A stronger Christmas continues to provide major dividends as four major family titles and three unusually strong specialized releases got 2025 off to an improved start. “Mufasa: The Lion King” (Disney), #2 last weekend, took #1 for the first time in its three-week run, ahead of “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” (Paramount). “Nosferatu” (Focus), #3 overall, is tops among the more adult-appeal titles, and has a real chance to hit $100 million in U.S./Canada totals.

The weekend total of $106 million is 21 percent better than the first 2024 weekend, made even more remarkable with no new wide release. Last year, “Nightswim” opened to just under $12 million. Though no single January 2025 release looks like a breakout (Universal’s “Wolf Man” on January 17 looks best), the month could start 2025 at 15 percent or more ahead last year.

Signage is seen during the Red Carpet Rollout for the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Holdovers were strong, particularly compared to a holiday weekend. “Mufasa,” only $200,000 behind “Sonic” last week, held better with a 35 percent drop compared to 43 percent. That gave it $23.8 million, with a $2.6 million edge. Barry Jenkins’ reboot of “The Lion King” franchise is already at $168 million domestic and $476 million worldwide, while the third “Sonic” has hit $187.5 million domestic, $312 million total.

The real surprise is the strength of the three wide-release specialized titles with performances that surpassed expectations and heat to spare.

Aidan Monaghan / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Most impressive is Robert Eggers’ breakout “Nosferatu” (Focus). For a horror film, a 39 percent drop on week two is exceptional. It overcame a B- Cinemascore and clearly developed sustained interest ($13.2 million this weekend, #3), with more than $69 million so far and a strong chance to hit $100 million or more domestic. Its international rollout has been slower but is at $31 million so far and #1 in the U.K./Ireland market. Its success will rewrite Christmas release strategies.

James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown” (Searchlight) held even better, off only 31 percent to take sixth place with $8 million and $41.7 million so far. With the potential for significant awards presence ahead, this should sustain a long run ahead with a shot at doubling that total. These are the biggest post-Covid successes for Focus and Searchlight. Pre-Covid, “Complete” would likely be a platform opener. Instead, a risky wide Christmas release has worked.

At a lower level, Halina Reijn’s “Babygirl” (A24) had the biggest rebound. With $4.4 million last weekend, the unlikeliest wide release initially looked like it might be a misplay. Instead, it had no drop and it stands at $16.1 million. With this momentum, a $20 million reported budget, awards buzz for Nicole Kidman, likely major home viewing interest, this also looks like an unexpected success.

Of the four December 25 releases, the only one to lag is “The Fire Inside” (Amazon MGM). Despite an A Cinemascore, it fell 37 percent. It sustained its #10 position with $1.2 million and $7.1 million so far. In its favor is its $12 million budget as well as its streaming value for Amazon Prime.

Thanksgiving releases “Moana 2” (Disney) at #4 and “Wicked” (Universal) at #5 both passed $400 million domestic. “Wicked” went to PVOD this week and its 48 percent drop was the highest in the top 10. That’s unusual; initial marketing for home availability usually helps theaters.

“The Brutalist” (A24) is by far the strongest performer among limited runs. Now in eight theaters, it grossed $244,341 with a $30,543 average — made more impressive with a running time that means fewer shows.

Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, 2024. © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / courtesy Everett Collection

National Society of Film Critics’ best film winner “Nickel Boys” (Amazon MGM) expanded to 18 theaters and $151,000. This has potential for more with hoped-for Oscar and other attention ahead.

“September 5” and “Better Man,” Paramount’s two limited films, still are weak with per-theater averages under $5,000. Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” (Sony Pictures Classics) is somewhat better with $48,000 in six ($8,000 per theater).

“Flow” has become Janus/Sideshow’s biggest release with $2.6 million and a real potential to add considerably more.

Warner Bros. and IMAX teamed for a 30th anniversary/pre-new home video release of David Fincher’s “Seven.” It did $850,000 in 182 theaters.

Top 10

1. Mufasa: The Lion King (Disney) Week 3; Last weekend #2

$23,836,000 (-35%) in 3,925 (-175) theaters; PTA (per theater average): $6,073; Cumulative: $168,601,000

2. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Paramount) Week 3; Last weekend #1

$21,200,000 (-43%) in 3,746 (-23) theaters; PTA: $5,659; Cumulative: $187,508,000

3. Nosferatu (Focus) Week 2; Last weekend #3

$13,200,000 (-39%) in 3,132 (+140) theaters; PTA: $4,215; Cumulative: $69,401,000

4. Moana 2 (Disney) Week 6; Last weekend #5

$12,397,000 (-34%) in 3,345 (-65) theaters; PTA: $3,706; Cumulative: $425,152,000

5. Wicked (Universal) Week 7; Last weekend #4; also on PVOD

$10,200,000 (-48%) in 3,287 (+110) theaters; PTA: $3,103; Cumulative: $450,750,000

6. A Complete Unknown (Searchlight) Week 2; Last weekend #6

$8,067,000 (-31%) in 2,835 (no change) theaters; PTA: $2,846; Cumulative: $41,697,000

7. Babygirl (A24) Week 2; Last weekend #7

$4,492,000 (0%) in 2,164 (+49) theaters; PTA: $2,164; Cumulative: $16,113,000

8. Gladiator II (Paramount) Week 7; Last weekend #8; also on PVOD

$2,675,000 (-35%) in 1,748 (-117) theaters; PTA: $1,530; Cumulative: $168,867,000

9. Homestead (Angel) Week 3; Last weekend #9

$2,104,000 (-32%) in 1,700 (-69) theaters; PTA: $1,237; Cumulative: $17,475,000

10. The Fire Inside (Amazon MGM) Week 2; Last weekend #10

$1,229,000 (-37%) in 2,032 (+26) theaters; PTA: $605; Cumulative: $7,129,000

Other specialized/independent titles

Films (limited, expansions of limited) are listed by week in release, starting with those opened this week; after the first three weeks, only films with grosses over $5,000 are listed. Metacritic scores and initial film festivals recorded when available.

OPENING (platform)

Seven (Warner Bros. Discovery) REISSUE

$850,000 in 182 theaters; PTA: $4,670

The Damned (Vertical) Metacritic: 67; Festivals include: Tribeca 2024

$801,000 in 732 theaters; PTA: $1,094

From Ground Zero (Cohen) Metacritic: 80; Festivals include: Toronto 2024

$115,246 in 70 theaters; PTA: $1,746

HOLDOVERS

Better Man (Paramount) Week 2

$27,000 in 6 (no change) theaters; PTA: $4,500; Cumulative: $89,000

Vermiglio (Sideshow/Janus) Week 2

$17,300 in 3 (+2) theaters; PTA: $5,767; Cumulative: $31,712