Star Wars Outdoes The Revenant and Stays at #1

Star Wars: The Force Awakens held off a strong competitor in The Revenant to remain #1 at the weekend box office.

The latest Star Wars earned $41.3 million at the box office, but the total represents a 53.9% change in weekend totals, and a $10,070 pre-theater average.

Currently, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has earned $812,011,043 at the weekend box office, and $1,733,411, 043 worldwide. Not adjusted for inflation, it is currently the highest grossing film at the U.S. domestic box office and the 2nd highest grossing film worldwide.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Revenant earned $38 million, against a $135 million budget. The Revenant stars Leonardo DiCaprio and is directed and co-written by Alejandro González Iñárritu, the director and writer of last year’s hit film Birdman.

Daddy’s Home came in 3rd, with $15 million, and Sisters came in 5th with $7.1 million. However, the other big winner this weekend, besides The Revenant, is The Forest, starring Natalie Dormer. The Forest came in 4th place during a strong January weekend and earned $13 million against a $10 million budget.

This was a strong January weekend, that was surely bolstered by the presence of both the latest Star Wars and The Revenant. In fact, Star Wars: The Force Awakens number one spot is the highest grossing film in the first full week of January since Avatar in 2009. In fact, Star Wars is most likely helping the box office totals of other films. If you go to the theater during the weekend, and Star Wars is completely sold out, audiences will flock to other films.

Here are the top ten films of the weekend of January 8th, 2015.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens– $41.6 million
2. The Revenant– $38 million
3. Daddy’s Home– $15 million
4. The Forest– $13 million
5. Sisters–  $7.1 million
6. The Hateful Eight– $6.35 million
7. The Big Short– $6.3 million
8. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip– $5.5 million
9. Joy– $4.5 million
10. Concussion– $3.05 million

Is any of these box office hits a surprise? A disappointment? Let us know in the comments below!

Note: These box office totals are from Box Office Mojo.