Disney’s Animation Film “Frozen” Topples “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” at the Box Office

The highest grossing film in 2013 turns out to be “Frozen,” a Walt Disney animation film, causing “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” to fizzle out at the box office. Frozen reportedly raked in an estimated $31.6 million or £19.3m while the Hunger Games sequel trailed behind with $27 million earnings, close to £16.5m. “Out of the Furnace” is the only other new film that made it as one of the top earning movies of the year. It ranks third place with a gross income of $5.3 million or £3 million for the first week.

Story line

The highest earning movie of the year is about the story of Anna, a princess in Scandinavia. Her older sister Elsa who is the queen made a huge mistake in using her magic powers and accidentally freezes the country. The movie is action packed with a generous garnishing of fantasy ingredients as the characters encounter various situations in dream-like state. The defining theme of the story is true love, which was used to counteract the consequences of Queen Elsa’s magical powers to freeze the whole land.

Other top grossing films

Entertainment Weekly has reported other movies that made box office records during the last Thanksgiving weekend aside from “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and “Frozen.” These movies are: “Out of the Furnace,” “Thor: The Dark World,” and “Delivery Man.” Although these films considerably slipped down in their earnings after the holidays, they have nonetheless maintained their high-ranking marks. Meanwhile, “Inside Llewyn Davis,” Coen brothers’ newest film has been ranked as the highest-per-cinema earnings movie with its average income of $100,500 or £61,300 in just four cinemas.

Mandela’s biopic

On the other hand, “Mandela: Long Work to Freedom,” the life story of the late South African president and anti-apartheid campaign leader Nelson Mandela is still playing in four cinemas on its second week of short release. According to the film producer Harvey Weinstein, the play date of Mandela’s biopic will remain as it is in order to capture more audience. Film critics say that the timing of the showing date of Mandela’s film perfectly coincides with his death. Latest report indicates an income of $19,400 or £11,800 for every cinema.

The film is scheduled for showing in 850 theaters this Christmas season. Weinstein stated that he acquired the rights to film Mandela’s biopic in 1999, belying assumptions that he intentionally produced the movie in anticipation of the late political leader’s impending demise. The upcoming Oscar Awards is projected to give much accolade to Mandela’s picture but Weinstein is careful to claim he produced the movie not to personally shine in the awards night.

Year-end takings

The weekend following the Thanksgiving has quite mellowed, according to box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian. However the final box office takings for this year’s movie business is still higher by 16.9% compared to last year’s $10.8 billion or £6.6 billion. The release next week of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of the Smaug,” which is the second Hobbit film by Peter Jackson is being anticipated by moviegoers as well.

Photo Credit: Poster for Frozen (2013 film)