In a surprising twist at the box office, Mel Gibson’s gripping film Flight Risk, featuring Mark Wahlberg, has soared to the top spot this week, claiming the #1 position and knocking Mufasa from its long-held place on Pride Rock. The film’s debut has certainly stirred the excitement among audiences, marking Gibson’s return to directing after a seven-year hiatus since his critically acclaimed work on Hacksaw Ridge in 2016.
In its inaugural weekend, Flight Risk has managed to rake in an estimated $12 million, which, while it places the film at the top of the rankings, is considered a modest figure given its production budget of $25 million. This indicates that the film still has a considerable distance to cover to reach break-even status. Nonetheless, the audience turnout over the weekend suggests that many moviegoers were eager to show their support for Gibson’s return to the director’s chair, demonstrating a palpable interest in his storytelling style and the film’s intriguing plot.
The weekend’s box office results indicate that Flight Risk not only achieved the top ranking but also disrupted the ongoing trend of franchise films dominating the market thus far in 2025. Notably, we are still in January, yet the previous weeks have been marked by sequels, particularly Mufasa: The Lion King, a late 2024 release, and Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. With Mufasa being the leading film in this period, Flight Risk has managed to challenge this norm, showcasing a refreshing shift in audience preferences.
Despite its dethroning, Mufasa continues to show robust performance in its sixth week, earning an impressive $8.7 million, securing the second position. This marks its second time at this ranking, bringing its total domestic gross to a remarkable $221 million. Meanwhile, Den of Thieves 2 has seen a significant decline, falling to #9 with a staggering 55% drop in earnings. Interestingly, Flight Risk stands out as the only new film breaking into the top five this weekend, while Steven Soderbergh?s Presence debuted at #6 with a modest $3.4 million, reflecting a challenging landscape for new releases.
Securing the #3 position this week is One of Them Days, which has successfully garnered $8 million in its second week, driven largely by positive word-of-mouth from audiences. This film previously took the #2 spot in its opening week, indicating a strong reception. It faced competition from established sequels like Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which is now in its sixth week, and Moana 2, which is in its ninth week, both of which contributed to the competitive nature of the box office this weekend. These films rounded out the top five, earning $5.5 million and $4.3 million respectively, and both have already surpassed the box office gross of their predecessors, showcasing their continued popularity among viewers.
Oscar contenders have also made their presence known, with A Complete Unknown, James Mangold?s biopic about the iconic Bob Dylan, earning eight nominations this award season. This film has landed at #8 with a respectable $3.1 million. Meanwhile, The Brutalist, which is generating buzz for potential Best Picture and Best Actor accolades for Adrien Brody, finished at the bottom of the top ten with $2.87 million. While this isn’t a standout performance, it’s noteworthy that The Brutalist is expanding its theatrical reach, having added nearly 800 screens this week after an initial limited release of just seven theaters during its Oscar-eligible opening.
Looking ahead to next week, the box office will welcome a variety of new films including Universal’s animated feature Dog Man, the action-packed Valiant One from Briarcliff, and the horror film Companion, which may benefit from IMAX screenings. Another notable release is You?re Cordially Invited, which, despite being available on Amazon Prime Video, highlights the ongoing competition between theater releases and streaming platforms. The combination of stars like Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon surely would have drawn substantial box office revenue in previous years.
As we move into the following weeks, the box office landscape will shift with the arrival of major franchise films, including Captain America: Brave New World and Paddington in Peru, set to premiere on February 14th. This will follow Paddington?s successful run in its native U.K. market. Additionally, the animated feature The Day the Earth Blew Up is scheduled for release on February 28th, promising an exciting return for classic animated characters and their appeal in theaters.
What films did you catch at the cinema this weekend? Which new releases do you anticipate will make it into the top five next week? We?d love to hear your thoughts!
