by 
Updated on December 10, 2021
Once again, “American Sniper” was the top film at the box office, earning $31.9 million (-50.7% from last weekend). I assume that’ll finally change next weekend (more on that at the end of the post).
Elsewhere, “Paddington” rose to second place, earning $8.5 million (-30.7%). So far, it’s earned $50.5 million domestically, $146 million overseas, and $196.5 million globally. “Paddington” is doing pretty well, thanks in part to a weak selection of family friendly films to choose from.
Opening in third place is the low-budget time-travel film “Project Almanac,” which earned $8.5 million. Its global take so far is $10.4 million, almost breaking even with its $12 million budget.
“The Imitation Game” came in seventh place, earning $5.2 million (-25.5%). So far, it’s earned $68 million domestically, $58 million overseas, and $126 million globally.
Dropping to ninth place is “Strange Magic.” The George Lucas film earned $3.4 million (-37.5%), and has made $9.9 million so far. No budget is listed on Box Office Mojo, but the film’s an affirmed flop.
Dropping out of the top 10 are “Selma” and “Into the Woods.” “Selma” has earned $43.6 million so far (over double its $20 million budget), while “Into the Woods” stands at $124.4 million domestically (and $165 million globally), versus its $50 million budget. Also dropping quickly from the top 10 is the Johnny Depp flop, “Mortdecai,” which has only pulled in $6.8 million domestically and $12 million globally (out of a $60 million budget).
Next weekend is the first weekend of February, and that’s bringing a slate of films that should easily end “American Sniper”‘s run at #1: sci-fi film “Jupiter Ascending” (starring Channing Tatum); fantasy film “Seventh Son” (which has pulled in $82 million overseas already); and “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water,” the sequel to the 2004 film and TV show spinoff. While it’s been over a decade, the Sponged One still has a heavy presence on Nickelodeon (too heavy, I’d say), and given the only real family film rival is “Paddington,” it should do well.
