‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Is Hollywood’s Biggest Hit Since the Pandemic Began with $16.7 Million Opening Weekend

Diana Prince may have already saved the world in Wonder Woman 1984 but the Warner Bros. tentpole may have also been the beginning of the end of what can only be called calamitous year at the box office for traditional theater chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to The Hollywood Reporter: Wonder Woman 1984 opened to an estimated $16.7 million over Christmas weekend, the best three-day debut at the distressed domestic box office since the novel coronavirus began, according to Warner Bros. Any sign of moviegoing is welcome news for Hollywood even if WW84 scored the lowest number in decades for a yuletide winner. The film unfurled in 2,150 cinemas in the U.S. and Canada on Dec. 25.

In an unprecedented move, the superhero sequel shattered the theatrical window and opened simultaneously on HBO Max amid the ongoing pandemic and numerous theaters closures.

Globally, the DC superhero sequel, reteaming director Patty Jenkins and star Gal Gadot, has now earned $85 million at the box office, including a foreign tally of $68.3 million. As in the U.S., there are a number of theater reclosures across Europe and other regions. (One territory that has rebounded is China, although WW84 hasn’t found its footing in the Middle Kingdom, where it finished Sunday with a 10-day total of $23.9 million.)

The film’s overall strong performance prompted Warner Bros. Film chief Toby Emmerich to announce on Sunday that development of third film is being fast-tracked, with Jenkins writing and directing and Gadot returning in the titular role. First, though, Jenkins is on Star Wars duty for Disney, meaning that Wonder Woman 3 wouldn’t likely hit the big screen for the better part of three years, if not four. Jenkins and Gadot also have Cleopatra set up at Paramount.