Fantasia Barrino in “The Color Purple”.Photo:Eli Adé/Warner Bros.
Eli Adé/Warner Bros.
The Color Purpleis a holiday box office hit.
The new movie musical starringFantasia Barrino,Taraji P. Henson,Danielle Brooksand more surpassed expectations at the domestic box office, taking the No. 1 spot on Monday and accounting for the second-biggest Christmas Day opening of all time, multiple outlets reported.
According toVarietyandThe Hollywood Reporter, the $18.1 million earned in North American theaters makes theBlitz Bazawule-directed musical the largest Christmas opening since 2009. The record ($24.6 million) remains that year’sSherlock Holmesstarring Robert Downey Jr.
Industry predictions thoughtThe Color Purplewould make an estimated $8 to $10 million on Christmas Day,Deadlinereported earlier this month.
(Left to right:) Blitz Bazawule, Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and Oprah Winfrey in 2023.Arturo Holmes/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
Arturo Holmes/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
On Tuesday, Winfrey posted avideo on Instagramof her reacting to the “amazing start,” as she says, to the film’s box office performance.
“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude,” the star, 69, wrote in her caption. “Thank you so much for everyone that made @thecolorpurple a part of their holiday plans. Y’all made it the #1 movie in theatres on Christmas Day!”
She added, “I know how valuable spending time with your loved ones is, so for y’all to buy tickets, dress up in purple, and show up in droves is filling me up. As you go to the theaters, please tag me in your purple outfits cause I know y’all are understanding the assignment! Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Fantasia Barrino and Taraji P. Henson in “The Color Purple”.Ser Baffo/Warner Bros.
Ser Baffo/Warner Bros.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
At the box office in second and third place, respectively, were DC Studios sequelAquaman and the Lost Kingdomand theTimothée ChalametmusicalWonka, two other films from distributor Warner Bros.
The Color Purpleopened alongside theGeorge Clooney-directedThe Boys in the Boat, which earned $5.7 million.
TheGolden Globe-nominatedBarrino, who leads the film as Celie, posted avideoon Instagram of her attending the film’s premiere in Charlotte, North Carolina, with friends and fans.
“I’m so overjoyed today waking up to the news of @thecolorpurple being the largest Christmas Day movie release since 2009,” wrote theAmerican Idolwinner. “Let’s keep filling up the theaters 🙏🏾.”
Colman Domingo, who plays the sinister Mister in the film,posted on Xcelebrating its spot at the box office. “I got some chewing tobacco, a banjo, and more for ya,” he wrote. “Come to despise Mista and come to see what we have done to transform us all.”
The Color Purplealso starsHalle Bailey,Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Corey Hawkins,David Alan Grier, H.E.R.,CiaraandDeon Cole. The movie is in theaters now.
source: people.com
