2022 marks the WORST Thanksgiving box office weekend since 1994

The holidays usually mean big money for the box office, but this year marked one of the worst Thanksgiving weekends in history after a meager offering of new releases failed to attract mainstream audiences. 

The three-day weekend’s general box office numbers came to a mere $95 million, a sharp decline from the pre-pandemic years before, IndieWire reported. In 2018 and 2019, the box office took in $261 million and $181 million, respectively.

The last time a Thanksgiving weekend brought in such little revenue was in 1994, when ticket prices averaged $4.08, according to the outlet.  

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ held onto its number one spot this Thanksgiving after pulling in $45.9 million — nearly half of the box office’s total revenue — Friday through Sunday.

The three-day Thanksgiving weekend’s box office numbers came to a mere $95 million, a sharp decline from pre-pandemic years before. ‘Black Panther Wakanda Forever’ took the top spot after earning $45.9 million Friday through Sunday 

Disney had far less success with its animated flop 'Strange World,' which came in second place, despite only earning $11.9 million. The last time a Thanksgiving weekend brought in such little revenue was in 1994, when ticket prices averaged $4.08

Disney had far less success with its animated flop ‘Strange World,’ which came in second place, despite only earning $11.9 million. The last time a Thanksgiving weekend brought in such little revenue was in 1994, when ticket prices averaged $4.08

TOP TEN AT THE THANKSGIVING BOX OFFICE: NOVEMBER 25-27 

1. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Disney)

Three-day gross: $45.9 million 

Total gross: $367.7 million

2. Strange World (Disney)

Three-day gross: $11.9 million

Total gross: $18.6 million

3. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix)

Three-day gross: $9.4 million

Total gross: $13.3 million

4. Devotion (Sony) 

Three-day gross: $5.96 million

Total gross: $9 million

5. The Menu (Searchlight)

Three-day gross: $5.2 million

Total gross: $18.7 million

6. Black Adam 

Three-day gross: $3.4 million

Total gross: $162.9 million

7. The Fabelmans

Three-day gross: $2.2 million

Total gross: $3.4 million

8. Bones and All 

Three-day gross: $2.2 million

Total gross: $3.7 million

9. Ticket to Paradise (Universal) 

Three-day gross: $1.9 million

Total gross: $65 million 

10. The Chosen Season 3: Episode 1 & 2 

Three-day gross: $1.6 million

Total gross: $13.5 million

Source:  Box Office Mojo

The Disney film was released on November 11 and earned a domestic total of $367.7 million, but the studio has had far less success with its animated flop ‘Strange World.’ 

The adventure movie featuring the voices of Jake Gyllenhaal, Gabrielle Union, and Jaboukie Young-White touched down in a distant second place with a three-day weekend gross of $11.9 million. 

‘Strange World’ cost $180 million to produce plus marketing expenses, and sources estimate that the film will lose at least $100 million in its theatrical release, Variety reported. 

The film, which features an openly gay character, was not released in several international markets, including the entire Middle East, due to their censorship of LGBTQ content. 

Netflix doesn't report grosses, but the 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' is believed to have captured the number three spot after earning an estimated $9.4 million

Netflix doesn’t report grosses, but the ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ is believed to have captured the number three spot after earning an estimated $9.4 million 

Debuting in fourth place was 'Devotion,' which stars Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell as U.S. airmen during the Korean War. The movie earned $5.96 million over the three-day weekend

Debuting in fourth place was ‘Devotion,’ which stars Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell as U.S. airmen during the Korean War. The movie earned $5.96 million over the three-day weekend 

Disney has been accused of not doing enough marketing for the inclusive film, while conservative critics claim it is too ‘woke’ for mainstream audiences. 

‘No question a slow overall marketplace and a lack of awareness building horsepower for “Strange World” hurt its potential to follow in the tradition of the long line of Disney animated hits over this very important holiday weekend in theaters,’ Comscore senior analyst Paul Dergarabedian told CNBC. 

Meanwhile, ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ captured the number three spot after its debut on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. 

Netflix doesn’t report grosses, but the thriller is estimated to have carved out a comfortable $9.4 million after being shown in less than 700 North American theaters. 

Fans will be able to watch Daniel Craig solve a mystery as famed detective Benoit Blanc from the comfort of their own homes when the film is released on the streaming service on December 23. 

'The Menu' rounded out the top five after dishing up $5.2 million.

‘The Menu’ rounded out the top five after dishing up $5.2 million.  

Coming in sixth place at $3.4 million was 'Black Adam,' starring Dwayne Johnson as the legendary DC superhero

Coming in sixth place at $3.4 million was ‘Black Adam,’ starring Dwayne Johnson as the legendary DC superhero

Steven Spielberg's 'The Fabelmans' was only shown in 638 theaters, but it brought in $2.2 million and took the seventh spot following positive reviews

Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans’ was only shown in 638 theaters, but it brought in $2.2 million and took the seventh spot following positive reviews

Debuting in fourth place was ‘Devotion,’ which stars Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell as U.S. airmen during the Korean War. The movie earned $5.96 million over the three-day weekend. 

‘The Menu’ rounded out the top five after dishing up $5.2 million. The thriller stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult as a young couple who travel to a remote island for dinner at an exclusive restaurant with chef Ralph Fiennes. 

Coming in sixth place at $3.4 million was ‘Black Adam,’ starring Dwayne Johnson as the legendary DC superhero, followed by Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans’ in the seventh spot. 

The somewhat biographical film about a young filmmaker was only shown in 638 theaters, but it brought in $2.2 million following positive reviews. 

Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell’s ‘Bones and All’ came in eighth place at $2.2 million, while George Clooney and Julia Roberts are still filling seats with ‘Ticket to Paradise.’ 

Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell's 'Bones and All' came in eighth place at $2.2 million

Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell’s ‘Bones and All’ came in eighth place at $2.2 million

George Clooney and Julia Roberts are still filling seats with 'Ticket to Paradise,' which earned $1.9 million

George Clooney and Julia Roberts are still filling seats with ‘Ticket to Paradise,’ which earned $1.9 million 

The Chosen Season 3: Episode 1 & 2' rounded out the top ten at $1.6 million

The Chosen Season 3: Episode 1 & 2′ rounded out the top ten at $1.6 million 

The romantic comedy about two ex-spouses who travel to Bali to prevent their daughter from getting married landed in ninth place after earning $1.9 million. 

The Chosen Season 3: Episode 1 & 2′ rounded out the top ten at $1.6 million.  

This year’s box office numbers don’t bode well for the movie industry, but it may be a lack of options rather than interest that inhibited ticket sales.

Dergarabedian told CNN that the COVID-19 pandemic can once again be blamed for the paltry numbers.  

‘The impact of the pandemic, both in terms of production disruption and release-calendar shuffling, has left the table fairly light on cinematic entrees,’ he explained. 

‘This is likely a temporary shift and a result of the challenging marketplace dynamics over the past two and a half years,’ he added. ‘Thanksgiving will rise again as one of the most important moviegoing weeks of the year.’

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