by 
Updated on December 10, 2021
DreamWorks’ “Home” is the top film at the box office this weekend, debuting in North America with an impressive $52.1 million. This surpassed expectations, and finally gives the beleaguered studio a badly needed hit. Unlike “Mr. Peabody and Sherman” a year ago, there’s no strong competition (besides “Cinderella”) for this film anytime soon, so it’ll likely pull in plenty more cash. It easily beat the second place fellow newcomer film, the Kevin Hart comedy “Get Hard,” which pulled in a still-strong $33.8 million.
While reviews are mixed (a 47% “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences seemed to like “Home.” One factor that likely helped is this is the first major CGI film to star a Black female character, which likely made it more appealing to minority viewers. Forbes says the film’s audience was 60% female; 57% under 25; 48% Caucasian, 22% African-American, 15% Hispanic, and 15% Asian/other. As for overseas, “Home” has pulled in $47.5 million so far, so it’s not a flop there either—dismissing the Hollywood types that feel films with Black leads can’t be a success overseas.
Elsewhere in the top 10, “The Divergent Series: Insurgent” came in third place with another $21.5 million (-58.8% from last weekend). Its totals stand at $85.9 million domestic, $93.7 million overseas, and $179.6 million globally.
“Cinderella” came in fourth place, earning $17 million (-51.3%). Its totals stand at $149.6 million domestic, $186.2 million overseas, and $335.8 million globally.
In sixth place is “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” which earned another $3 million (-35.9%). The film’s earned $119.3 million domestic, $208.3 million overseas, and $327.6 million globally.
Dropping out of the top 10 are two films of note, “Chappie” and “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.” “Chappie”‘s earned $30.2 million domestically (despite a $49 million budget), but $77.2 million globally. The Sponge One pulled in $160.2 million domestically and $287.9 million globally.
Next week sees opening just one film: “Furious 7,” the latest film in the “Fast and the Furious” franchise. Of course, it’ll be guaranteed to be #1 next weekend with some giant-sized gross; the only question is how the other films from this weekend will hold up against the speedy racers.
