The Color Purple has triumphed at the box office with the largest Christmas Day movie opening in 14 years.
The drama is an adaptation of the 2005 Broadway musical, which was inspired by Steven Spielberg's 1985 film and Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name.
The film smashed expectations, earning $18.5 million from 3,152 theaters across North America—well above the $10 to $12 million anticipated—knocking Timothee Chalamet's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel Wonka from the top spot.
The impressive turnout means The Color Purple is the biggest December 25 debut since 2009, when Sherlock Holmes pocketed $24.6 million. Although Robert Downey Jr.'s take on the literary detective is still number one in festive film openings, The Color Purple is a firm second.
The film is also the most successful musical film to open on Christmas Day, beating Les Miserables $18.1 million launch in 2012.
Alongside its stellar box office performance, The Color Purple has received glowing reviews. The movie currently holds a critic score of 88 percent on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, landing a "certified fresh" rating. The audience score is even higher, with 95 percent of viewers leaving positive reviews of the musical, while movie-goers gave The Color Purple an "A" CinemaScore.
Set in rural Georgia during the early 20th century, The Color Purple follows Celie, an African American woman who overcomes a lifetime of trauma and abuse through strong bonds with the women around her.
Co-produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah, the film stars American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino, Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson, The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey, Orange is the New Black actress Danielle Brooks, Emmy winner Colman Domingo, The Walking Dead star Corey Hawkins and singer Ciara.
Published in 1982, Alice Walker's novel won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Covering challenging topics such as racism, sexual abuse, misogyny and LGBTQ+ issues, the book has been targeted by censors on a number of occasions.
Spielberg directed the 1985 movie adaptation, which was nominated for 11 Oscars. The film starred Whoopi Goldberg as Celie in her breakout role, alongside Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover, Cool Breeze actress Margaret Avery, Tony Award winner Laurence Fishburne and Oprah in her film debut.
Originally running from 2005 to 2008, the Broadway musical adaptation of The Color Purple won two Theatre World Awards and a Tony Award, with Barrino originating her role as Celie. The 2015 Broadway revival also scored numerous accolades, with Brooks playing Sofia for the first time.
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