On Christmas Day, a fresh wave of holiday movies is hitting theaters across North America. Among them is A24’s buzzworthy film, Marty Supreme, featuring Timothée Chalamet as a table tennis champion from the 1950s.
This film has already made a splash, earning an impressive average of $145,913 from just six locations in New York City and Los Angeles. This marks a record for A24, making it the studio’s most successful opening performance since La La Land in 2016. With a hefty production cost between $60 million and $70 million, Marty Supreme stands as A24’s most expensive venture yet.
Both Marty Supreme and Sony’s Anaconda held preview screenings on Christmas Eve. Anaconda, starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd, sparked about $2.1 million on its first day, while Marty Supreme came close with $2.01 million. While Anaconda aims for a larger share of the holiday box office, it has received lackluster reviews, sitting at a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, Marty Supreme boasts a stellar 95% rating.
Critics are raving about Marty Supreme. David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter describes it as a refreshing take on the sports comedy genre. He notes that it intertwines elements of a character study with the exhilarating streets of 1950s New York. Chalamet’s portrayal of a determined challenger aiming for glory makes this film a unique blend of drama and humor.
The film also features Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, and Tyler, the Creator. Their characters add depth to the story of ambition and resourcefulness in a time when table tennis wasn’t just a game but a dream for many.
In the lead-up to the film’s release, Chalamet has been an enthusiastic promoter. His creative marketing ideas included staging a humorous Zoom call with A24’s team, which led to the quirky decision to fly a bright orange blimp displaying the movie’s title around Los Angeles. This approach has certainly captured attention and helped build buzz.
The big question remains: Can Marty Supreme attract mainstream audiences, or will it only appeal to niche festivals?
In contrast, Anaconda aims to entertain with a comedic twist. Director Tom Gormican has added a meta-layer by portraying a fictional crew attempting to create a movie about the infamous creature from earlier films. Unfortunately, this angle hasn’t resonated as well with critics.
The holiday box office is also seeing fierce competition from other films. As of Christmas Day, Avatar 3 has crossed the $500 million mark, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the franchise. Disney’s Zootopia 2, which opened over Thanksgiving, continues to perform well, contributing to a significant revenue milestone for Disney.
Interestingly, the timing of Christmas falling on a Thursday is beneficial for theaters, as it allows for an extended holiday weekend and increased ticket sales due to school closures and holiday breaks. These final weeks of the year are historically some of the busiest, drawing families and movie lovers alike.
As the battle for the holiday box office unfolds, both Marty Supreme and Anaconda will be closely watched—not just for their numbers, but for how they engage and entertain during this festive season.
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