Thanksgiving’s box office won’t look like anything we’ve seen in the past 25 years, but at least we can give thanks for Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s THE CROODS 2.
Pre-pandemic release schedules had 7 wide Thanksgiving releases carving up 2 weekends. Pre-holiday starters 11/20: WB/Legendary’s GODZILLA VS. KONG (now 5/21/21), Sony/Bron’s MAN FROM TORONTO (now 9/17/21) & an untitled Universal/Amblin project. Main courses 11/25: WB/Overbrook’s KING RICHARD (now 11/19/21), Disney’s RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (pictured – now 3/12/21), Sony/Tri-Star’s HAPPIEST SEASON (now 11/25 on Hulu) & MGM/Universal/Eon’s NO TIME TO DIE (now 4/2/21).
Before long, 11/20 had Disney/Pixar’s SOUL (now Disney+ 12/25) & NO TIME while CROODS 2 became 11/25’s multiplex magnet.
Given the latest encouraging virus vaccine news, next Thanksgiving should be happier — with 2 major pre-holiday openings on 11/19/21: WB/Overbrook’s KING RICHARD & Paramount/ Skydance’s MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7. Plus, an untitled animated Disney release on 11/21 & MGM/UAR’s GUCCI on 11/24.
Last year pre-Thanksgiving, Disney’s FROZEN II opened #1 to what can now only be described as an enviable $130.3M.