December has been a triumphant month for the box office in the U.K. and Ireland, topping up to a whopping £115.5 million. Universal Pictures played a significant part, with “Wicked” setting the pace. The region saw a 21% hike from last year’s performance, ending 2024 on a high note.
The theatre-to-screen adaptation of “Wicked” has held audiences spellbound, retaining its number one spot for two entire months. Jon M. Chu’s cinematic rendition has amassed £23.2 million in December alone. This figure has catapulted it to one of the top releases of the year, maintaining its reign as a crowd favorite.
A Year-End Box Office Bonanza
The tail end of 2024 has been kind to the U.K. and Ireland’s box office collections. They managed to collect a hefty £1.06 billion, mirroring the figures seen in 2023. Compared to the previous year, that’s an 8% increase over 2022. The lion’s share of this came from major titles like “Wicked,” which have been drawing massive crowds to cinemas.
Wicked’s Stellar Performance
Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” not only retained its leading box office position but also lifted its total earnings to £55.6 million. This incredible performance places “Wicked” as the third-highest release of the year, only following “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
The musical, which has been an overwhelming success on stage, has found its audience in cinemas too. It’s now one of the top-grossing musicals ever in the U.K. and Ireland, standing shoulder to shoulder with legendary films like “Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!” and “Wonka.”
Disney’s Double Delight
Aside from “Wicked,” Disney’s “Moana 2” has captured second place with its December earnings hitting £21.8 million. A stellar achievement indeed! This fantastic sequel surpasses the original, with earnings now totaling £36.4 million.
Another Disney tale, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” clawed its way to third place after only two weeks, with its box office earnings standing at £17.4 million.
Sonic Surges Forward
Debuting in fourth place, “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” raced in, making a remarkable entry with £16 million after just a week in theaters. The franchise continues to charm audiences, adding to its impressive track record.
This iconic blue blur has become a beloved character, and his adventures continue to draw fans, old and new alike. “Sonic” has certainly carved a spot in the hearts of many.
Paddington and Gladiator Fight for Box Office Glory
Paddington’s adventures in Peru brought in £6.4 million, boosting the franchise total to £34.2 million by year’s end. Though trailing behind its precursors, the lovable bear remains close to fan’s hearts.
Meanwhile, “Gladiator II” grossed £5.9 million this December, almost toppling the original’s record to become Ridley Scott’s highest-grossing title in these regions.
International Stars and Local Heroes
The impressive £3.9 million addition by “Conclave,” helmed by Edward Berger, highlights the rising stardom of regional cinema. This dramatic work has reached the second-best spot for Black Bear’s releases.
Elsewhere, the biopic “Better Man,” covering the life of Robbie Williams, kicked off with a promising start, debuting at £2.9 million. “Pushpa 2 – The Rule,” an action-drama from Telugu cinema, earned £1.8 million, leading among Indian releases in the area by the close of the year.
Emerging Hits and Continuing Splendor
Numerous other films made their mark in December, from “Kalki 2898 AD” grossing £1.4 million, and “Fighter” taking in £1 million, showcasing the vast diversity of film tastes in these regions.
Even “Kraven The Hunter,” a Sony production, made its presence known, rounding out the list with £1.4 million.
Looking Ahead to a Promising New Year
The curtain has fallen on December, but January promises an exciting lineup with Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” and other major releases.
The new year starts with a bang and audiences are eager. There’s much to anticipate with the likes of “We Live In Time” and a Bob Dylan biopic on the horizon.
December concluded spectacularly for the film industry. As the box office closes 2024 on a high, 2025 steps in with much promise. Cinemagoers have plenty to look forward to in the months ahead.
Source: Variety
