‘The Color Purple’ Opened with $18.1M, Second-Highest Ever for a Christmas Day Release

‘The Color Purple‘ debuts with $18.1M on its opening day, marking the second-highest domestic opening ever for a Christmas Day release.

Christmas Day Domestic Box Office Results:

1. ‘The Color Purple’ – $18.2M
2. ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ – $10.5M
3. ‘Wonka’ – $10.3M
4. ‘The Boys in the Boat’ – $5.7M
5. ‘Migration’ – $5.1M
6. ‘Ferrari’ – $2.8M
7. ‘The Iron Claw’ – $1.7M

Directed by Blitz Bazawule, known for the acclaimed “The Burial of Kojo,” from a screenplay by Marcus Gardley, it is based on Alice Walker’s novel and the musical stage play.

According to the film’s plot, “A story of love and resilience, ‘The Color Purple’ is a decades-spanning tale of one woman’s journey to independence. Celie (Fantasia Barrino) faces many hardships in her life but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. The musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel is about the lifelong struggles of an African American woman living in the South during the early 1900s.”

The film stars Barrino as Celie Harris-Johnson, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as young Celie, Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, Colman Domingo as Albert “Mister” Johnson, Corey Hawkins as Harpo Johnson, H.E.R. as Squeak/Mary Agnes, Halle Bailey as Nettie Harris, Ciara as Older Nettie Harris, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Mama, Jon Batiste as Grady, Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol’ Mister Johnson, David Alan Grier as Rev. Samuel Avery, Deon Cole as Alfonso, Tamela J. Mann as First Lady, Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie, and Stephen Hill as Henry “Buster” Broadnax.

Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones.

‘The Color Purple’ is now playing in theaters.