In a surprising turn of events, the prequel film Wonka has emerged as a box office sensation, set to surpass $200 million at the domestic box office this weekend. Audiences have been captivated by the magical and enchanting story of Willy Wonka, portrayed by the talented Timothée Chalamet, and how he came to create his iconic chocolate factory.
Since its premiere over two months ago, Wonka has exceeded expectations and held its ground against both the top movies of 2023 and the newer releases of 2024. According to Variety, the film still remains in the top five at the box office, steadily climbing the ladder of highest-grossing movies of 2023. Currently sitting at number 8, it has surpassed films like John Wick: Chapter 4 and is just below Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
What's truly remarkable about Wonka is its ability to continue drawing in moviegoers, even well into its sixth weekend at the box office. It retained its position at number 3, beating nine newer releases and becoming the first musical to top the box office post-COVID-19. Furthermore, its upcoming competition seems relatively weak, with Argylle's disappointing opening, giving Wonka a clear path to maintaining its earnings until the release of competitors such as Madame Web and Bob Marley: One Love on Valentine's Day.
With its current trajectory, Wonka has the potential to climb even higher on the 2023 top 10 chart. Having already surpassed $200 million this weekend, it is now in close pursuit of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania at number 7. To achieve this, the film would need to gain another $14 million. While it is projected to earn $5.8 million in domestic earnings during its seventh weekend, the strong performance of Wonka might lead Warner Bros. to extend its theatrical run. If this happens and the film continues to generate high earnings for several more weeks, it could very well shake up the rankings, especially considering its predicted minimal drop in earnings next week.
However, catching up to The Little Mermaid, which currently holds the sixth spot on the chart, seems less likely for Wonka. As it enters its eighth week of release, the film's momentum might start to slow down. Although it does have a couple of weeks with no significant wide releases to contend with, the impact of Valentine's Day releases remains uncertain. Thus, while Wonka has undoubtedly achieved remarkable success at the box office, its prospects for surpassing The Little Mermaid seem uncertain.
This unexpected box office triumph of Wonka proves its enduring popularity and the allure of revisiting the beloved character's origins. Based on Roald Dahl's timeless novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the film allows us to delve deeper into Willy Wonka's journey, from his first encounter with the lovable Oompa Loompas to the creation of his decadent and whimsical chocolate empire. Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of Wonka adds a fresh and captivating dimension to the character, further enhancing the film's appeal.
As Wonka continues to dazzle audiences and generate impressive box office numbers, it solidifies its place among the top movies of 2023. With its success thus far, who knows what other milestones it may surpass and how it will continue to shape the rankings on the 2023 top 10 chart. The enchanting world of Wonka is proving to be a timeless treasure, captivating audiences and affirming the enduring legacy of the chocolate factory's charming and enigmatic creator.
