”Matilda” movie dominates UK box office

Based on the smash-hit West End musical, the Matthew Warchus-directed flick follows a young girl who uses her imagination to connect with others (and develop superpowers), while combating the tyrannical rule of Miss Trunchbull. It earned a glowing review from WhatsOnStage, published last week.

It has also proved a hit with filmgoers. According to figures in The Hollywood Reporter, the film ruled its opening box office, opening to a $5 million – estimated to be around 50 percent of the marketplace and 50 per cent above second place Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Of course, these things have to be placed in a wider context (during what was an admittedly quiet weekend for new releases ahead of big Christmas openings). As a point of comparison, it has opened 60 per cent ahead of The Greatest Showman, considered one of the biggest musical openings of the last decade. So things bode well!