Overview of the US business for the week of November 16

Universal's horror comedy Freaky starring Vince Vaughn topped the box office in its opening weekend, pulling in $3.7M from playing wide at 2,472 locations across in North America. Last week's #1 film Let Him Go from Focus Features starring Kevin Costner and Diane Lane took second with a $1.8M weekend gross, and a 10-day cume of $6.9M.  101 Studios' comedy The War with Grandpa starring Robert DiNiro continues to draw audiences, with $1.3M this weekend and a six-week cume of $15.2M.

Click here to watch our Popcorn Previews Boxoffice Buzz video feature, highlighting the opening weekend results for Freaky.

Our summary of Industry News reports on the reaction from exhibitors upon hearing the good news of successful results from Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine trial.  We also reveal the results of a Harris Poll published this week surveying movie-goers on their feelings about returning to cinemas in 2021.  Our news summary also covers deliberations within Warner Bros. on the logic of sticking to a Christmas release for Wonder Woman 1984.

Gower Street looks into the ebb and flow of theater openings - and closings - in the Domestic market.  55% of the pre-pandemic screens are currently open, which is down somewhat from the high water mark of  61% in late September and early October.   Martin Grove laments how it came to pass that the industry and government have not found a way to re-open movie theatres in NYC and LA despite the critical importance of the film industry to those cities. 

We conclude with our regular film data tables. The Weekly Film Calendar provides details on film releases through the end of the year. We report on last week's studio release changes, MPAA film ratings and important new trailers.