‘Marty Supreme’ Nearly Outpaces ‘Anaconda’

As the holiday season unfolds, two significant films debut across North America on Christmas Day. A24’s “Marty Supreme,” featuring Timothée Chalamet, introduces the tale of a 1950s table tennis champion. Meanwhile, Sony presents “Anaconda,” starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd, which is a reboot of the original campy monster film.

Marty Supreme Surges Ahead

“Marty Supreme” has already made waves, achieving a remarkable per-location average of $145,913 across six theaters in New York City and Los Angeles. This performance marks a new record for A24, surpassing the performance of “La La Land” from 2016. The film, with a hefty budget of $60–70 million, is noted as A24’s most expensive production to date.

Anaconda’s Commercial Outlook

Both films had previews on Christmas Eve, expanding their reach by December 25. “Anaconda” generated an estimated $2.1 million during its preview, narrowly edging out “Marty Supreme,” which earned about $2 million. Despite its commercial appeal, “Anaconda” faces critical backlash, currently holding a dismal 44 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Marty Supreme’s Critical Acclaim

“Marty Supreme” has garnered a 95 percent fresh rating, reflecting its positive reception among critics. David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter praised the film for reinventing the sports comedy genre. He describes it as an exhilarating blend of character study and nostalgic homage to 1950s New York City.

Star-Studded Cast and Unique Marketing

• Timothée Chalamet as the ambitious protagonist.
• Supporting roles include Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, and Tyler, the Creator.

To promote “Marty Supreme,” Chalamet engaged in creative marketing strategies. Notably, he became the first individual to stand atop The Sphere in Las Vegas. Innovative ideas included flying a bright orange blimp with the film’s title and illuminating the Empire State Building in orange.

Box Office Competition

The holiday box office landscape is highly competitive. “Avatar 3” leads the chart, surpassing $500 million as of Christmas Day. It continues to perform robustly, pulling in another $10.7 million domestically, alongside significant international earnings.

Holiday Box Office Highlights

With Christmas Day falling on a Thursday, theater owners anticipate a lucrative weekend. The final weeks of the year typically draw in large audiences, bolstered by the holiday break.