…in one category.
We’re now into the second quarter of 2017, which means most of the movies from 2016 are finally leaving theaters. Only 8 of last year’s Top 100 grossing movies at the box office are still playing theatrically somewhere in the country.
Recently, Deadline Hollywood did their annual look at the most successful films of 2016 based on profit, with “The Secret Life of Pets” on top. But I tend to look at a movie’s success based on how it does after its opening weekend. Does it have staying power in theaters? Do some audiences catch-up on it a few weeks after its initial release.
What 2016 movies stayed in the box office charts the longest? “La La Land” and “Zootopia” tied with 13 straight weeks in the Top 10 each, followed by “Hidden Figures” with 11.
But – in terms of dollars and multiples – which movie was most successful AFTER its opening weekend? The answer: “Why Him?”. The James Franco/Bryan Cranston comedy had a Friday-Sunday opening weekend of $11 million. Its total: $60.3 million, or 5.48 times its opening weekend. In second place, another comedy – “Bad Moms”. A $23 million open and a $113 million total equates to a 4.76 multiple.
So far in 2017, the horror/thriller “Get Out” has grossed a very impressive 4.71 times its opening weekend, and that number will continue to grow.
Here are the 10 most successful films of 2016 in this category (Note: this list excludes all films that opened on a Wednesday, such as “Sing” and “Moana”, as well as any film that expanded from a limited release start – such as “La La Land” and “Hidden Figures”):
1. “WHY HIM?”
Open: $11.0 million
Total: $60.3 million
Multiple: 5.48
2. “BAD MOMS”
Open: $23.8 million
Total: $113.3 million
Multiple: 4.76
3. “ZOOTOPIA”
Open: $75.1 million
Total: $341.3 million
Multiple: 4.55
4. “HACKSAW RIDGE”
Open: $15.2 million
Total: $67.2 million
Multiple: 4.42
5. “COLLATERAL BEAUTY”
Open: $7.1 million
Total: $31 million
Multiple: 4.37
6. “ARRIVAL”
Open: $24.1 million
Total: $100.6 million
Multiple: 4.18
7. “FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS”
Open: $6.6 million
Total: $27.4 million
Multiple: 4.15
8. “MOTHER’S DAY”
Open: $8.4 million
Total: $32.5 million
Multiple: 3.88
9. “KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS”
Open: $12.6 million
Total: $48 million
Multiple: 3.81
10. “FINDING DORY”
Open: $135.1 million
Total: $486.3 million
Multiple: 3.60
Source: Box Office Mojo