Ariana Grande‘s upcoming comedy is generating encouraging box office tracking ahead of its Thanksgiving release. The film is attracting early audience interest, but its projected opening remains below the numbers needed to match the success of Wicked. The holiday release schedule could also make it difficult to turn that interest into a major theatrical run.
According to Deadline, Universal and Paramount’s Focker-in-Law, starring Grande, Robert De Niro, and Ben Stiller, is tracking toward a $40 million to $50 million five-day opening. The early forecast puts the legacy comedy sequel in a promising position, although several major releases could affect its performance during Thanksgiving.
Despite the encouraging tracking, Focker-in-Law still faces a considerable challenge in matching Wicked. The 2024 musical opened with $112.5 million domestically and grossed over $764 million worldwide.
Ariana Grande’s movie faces tough Thanksgiving competition from Disney & The Hunger Games
Focker-in-Law will arrive in theaters on November 25, 2026. The comedy continues the Meet the Parents franchise, with Stiller and De Niro returning as Greg Focker and Jack Byrnes, respectively. Grande joins the cast as Olivia Jones, who becomes engaged to Greg’s son, Henry (played by Skyler Gisondo).
Disney’s animated film Hexed will also debut on November 25. The film follows a teenage girl who discovers she has magical abilities. According to Box Office Pro, Hexed could earn $35 million to $45 million over its three-day opening weekend and $50 million to $70 million over its extended five-day frame. Its family-friendly appeal could make it a strong competitor during the holiday period.
Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will arrive on November 20. The latest installment in the dystopian franchise has an estimated opening weekend range of $80 million to $100 million. Its earlier release could help it attract audiences before the Thanksgiving competition begins.
Grande’s popularity and the returning cast could help the comedy attract moviegoers. However, competition from Hexed and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping could limit its box office potential, making it difficult to match Wicked’s success.
