NORTH AMERICA: Platform Watch: 'The Big Short' Down Sharply But Still Strong with $350K, 'Carol' Holds Nicely with $230K; 'Dilwale' ($1.88M) and 'Bajirao Mastani' ($1.66M) Both Impress in Limited Release

By Daniel Garris

Paramount's The Big Short took in an estimated $350,000 this weekend while remaining in just 8 locations. The Adam McKay directed ensemble comedy-drama was down a sharp 50 percent from last weekend, as it too took a hit from the added presence of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Even with the sizable decline, The Big Short still earned a strong per-location average of $43,750 for the frame. The film has grossed $1.29 million through ten days of platform release and is still positioned very nicely for its scheduled wide release this coming Wednesday.

The Weinstein Company's Carol grossed an estimated $229,893 while remaining in 16 locations this weekend. The Todd Haynes directed romantic drama starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara declined a solid 32 percent from last weekend. The 31-day platform total for Carol stands at a promising $1.63 million.  Carol is scheduled to receive its next expansion on Christmas Day.

In limited release, Hindi language films Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani were both off to nice starts this weekend. UTV's Dilwale took in an estimated $1.88 million from 268 locations. That gave the action-comedy a per-location average of $7,015 and ranked the film in ninth place among all films this weekend. Eros' Bajirao Mastani followed closely behind with an estimated $1.66 million from 304 locations. The historical romantic drama placed in tenth among all films this weekend and registered a per-location average of $5,461 for the frame.

Focus' The Danish Girl continued its expansion with an estimated $538,000 from 81 locations. The Tom Hooper directed drama starring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander was up 104 percent over last weekend and claimed a respectable per-location average of $6,642 for the frame. The Danish Girl has grossed $1.33 million in 24 days of platform release. The film will be playing in an estimated 400+ locations on Christmas Day.

After an underwhelming expansion last weekend, Fox Searchlight's Youth had a better expansion this weekend with an estimated $247,000 from 61 locations. The Paolo Sorrentino directed film starring Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel and Rachel Weisz was up 131 percent and registered a per-location average of $4,049. The 17-day platform total for Youth stands at $516,322.

Sony Pictures Classics' Son of Saul opened with an estimated $38,891 from 3 locations in New York and Los Angeles. The critically acclaimed Hungarian language drama started out with a per-location average of $12,964. Son of Saul currently boasts a 92 percent Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes and is on The Academy Award shortlist for Best Foreign Language Film.