Casting a dark shadow over “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” new “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” has officially usurped the November box office record.
“Catching Fire,” the second film in the “Games” franchise, opened to an impressive $161.1 million at the box office this weekend. Up 6% from the debut “Hunger Games” total, the “Catching Fire” haul also crushes the $142.8 million “New Moon” total, which previously held the record for a November opening.
Overwhelming interest in “Catching Fire” assured nothing else would register at the weekend box office. “Thor: The Dark World” drew just $14.1 million for second, while “The Best Man Holiday” sank by a larger than expected 58% to just $12.5 million.
Flop newcomer “Delivery Man” managed just $8.2 million, while “Free Birds” put up $5.3 million.