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Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues experienced an even worse Monday-t- Monday decline, falling 25% to $4.4 million. With a running total of $88.1 million, it has exceeded its predecessor. As Reagen stated in yesterday’s column, any time the second film bests the original, it is difficult to complain about the result unless the production budget is massively higher. In this case, it is not so Anchorman 2 has matched expectations, no small feat for such a genuinely strange movie.

The movies in fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth place yesterday were all Christmas Day releases, meaning that they have no point of comparison today. The order is the same as it has been. The Wolf of Wall Street is the best thus far. It earned $4 million yesterday to bring its six-day take to $38.3 million. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty grossed $2.8 million and is fading a bit quicker than I would like to see. It has $28.2 million in the bank thus far.

Then, there are the dregs. 47 Ronin earned only $1.8 million and is dying fast with only $22.4 million in the bank. Grudge Match, the long awaited fight between Rocky Balboa and Raging Bull, grossed $1.5 million, but at least neither of its leads broke a hip. With $14.6 million earned and a $40 million budget, it will be in the red when it exits theaters. It is Avatar compared to 47 Ronin, though.

The rest of the top ten is comprised of two hits and one gigantic miss. Saving Mr. Banks finished fifth with $2.9 million, up 38% from last Monday’s $2.1 million. With a domestic tally of $40.2 million, the Disney film has already surpassed its production budget, which is either $35 or $40 million, depending on which prior statement is to be believed.

In seventh place is the one film still in release that has Frozen crushed. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire grossed $2.5 million yesterday, up 9% from last Monday’s $2.3 million. With $393.4 million and more holiday inflation ahead this week, it is a lock to reach $400 million now. It also appears likely to surpass the first movie, which is pretty damned impressive considering that The Hunger Games grossed $408 million. The franchise will claim two of the 16 best domestic performances of all time when this passing of the torch transpires.

Finally, I want to give special mention to the film in ninth place, Walking with the Dinosaurs. I had planned to talk about it more. Its performance has been so lackluster in such a competitive marketplace that I haven’t found much of a chance yet. The Fox title grossed $1.7 million yesterday, virtually identical to last Monday’s result. With $22.7 million earned in North America thus far, it is running neck and neck with 47 Ronin, which came out several days later. While Walking with Dinosaurs cost less than half as much at $80 million, it is every bit the bomb as that movie. I also consider it to be one of the worst financial disasters in recent memory in terms of opportunity cost.

This movie featured a known brand that had demonstrated lasting appeal to children. There is absolutely no excuse for the movie to be such an unappealing piece of dreck. All of the Christmas Day releases have been slammed for their performances yet almost all of them are doing better than this one. And none of the others had an established brand backing them. Walking with Dinosaurs is a total disaster.

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