By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — The saga of a pioneering Black Naval aviator in the Koren War didn’t top the box office in its opening weekend, but “Devotion” starring Jonathan Majors, did finish third for the Thanksgiving weekend. However the biggest film story of the weekend and the year remains the incredible success of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
Directed by Ryan Coogler, it scored $45.9 million in its third weekend for a North American cumulative mark of $367.7 million. Globally, the superhero flick has earned about $676 million. Disney’s “Strange World,” launched in second place at $11.9 million, and “Devotion,”finished in third place with $6 million.
“Devotion” is directed by J.D. Dillard. It co-stars Glen Powell. They are two Navy fighter pilots in an era fighting a less than popular war (Korean) and facing obstacles and racist mistreatment. Christina Jackson, Thomas Sadoski, Daren Kagasoff and Joe Jonas are the remaining cast members. “Devotion” received a good 79 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and hasn’t gotten mostly good reviews.
Rounding out the top five at the domestic box office this cycle were Searchlight’s “The Menu,” which served up $5.2 million in its second weekend for a North American cumulative of $18.7 million; and Warner Bros.’ “Black Adam,” which grossed $3.4 million in its sixth weekend for a North American cumulative of about $163 million. Overall, the Thanksgiving weekend totals at the domestic box office this year came in significantly lower than pre-pandemic numbers.