This week on the Official Charts, the Christmas movies stay strong, and Vin Diesel returns, but nothing can defeat James Bond as he shoots to the top!
Welcome to The Official Film Chart.
VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE OUT TO BUY ON DIGITAL FROM FRIDAY!
Although it opened in UK cinemas on October 15th this year, the Marvel sequel ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ is hitting digital download to buy and keep from this Friday. Yes, Tom Hardy’s second go-around as the character will be released on Christmas Eve. The film will be hitting the disc formats on January 3rd. Although the film isn’t as good as the original, in my opinion, it remains an entertaining night’s viewing. It may be and is unsuitable for younger children in some areas. But it will keep everyone happy and hooked from the start. And, as usual, keep watching through the end credits. No spoilers but it does tie in with a recently released movie! (No Hints of course!)
THE CHART
As for the Christmas chart for this year, we see many Christmas movies taking their places as usual. To be honest, it isn’t that much of a surprise to see the normal festive fare once again. However, this week, we still have to wish a merry Christmas and a fond farewell to ‘Rise Of The Footsoldier: Origins’, and ‘The Last Duel’. But what is the Christmas number one title? Has ‘The Grinch’ defeated all-comers once again? Has ‘Elf’ managed to take the top spot? Or has something else bonded itself to its sleigh to make it the festive chart-topper? No need to wait for Santa, let’s see who has been given an early Christmas present.
007 IS 001 FOR THE CHRISTMAS CHART!
We all love a James Bond film. There is nothing like it for top-notch entertainment. And so it has proved for the Christmas number one title. Shooting down every other title in the chart, our Christmas number one film is ‘No Time To Die.’ The film, the final one to star Daniel Craig as the suave secret agent has hit the top of the Christmas tree by selling 74,000 units in its first week. And it only hit digital to buy last Wednesday! In the film, which was finally released in cinemas in September 2021 after a total 22-month delay, Bond is forced out of his tranquil post-service life in Jamaica when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA appears, asking for help. He is led into a treacherous trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. The film, while not the best Bond film of them all, is still a worthy watch. And remains highly entertaining.
CARREY’S GRINCH TAKES SECOND SPOT!
After the shenanigans of 007, we return to our expected diet of Christmas films inside the top ten. And our first festive hit is ‘Dr. Suess’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas.’ The superior version of the tale, starring Jim Carrey moves up a place to take the Christmas chart second place. The now-classic version not only plays to Carrey’s strengths, it actively encourages them. And delivers us a film that never fails to entertain or make us roar with laughter.
ELF TAKES A SMALL TUMBLE!
The Christmas bronze medal position goes the way of Will Ferrell’s ‘Elf.’ The 2003 family favorite slips a place this week. But still manages to hold a high position in the chart. Its success this time around is thanks to its fantastic charm. And a price cut on the digital retailers. It is a must-have film to own for the entire family and even though it is set at Christmas, it can be viewed again and again throughout the year. And continues to be a hilarious comedy for everyone.
THE OTHER GRINCH FALLS TO FOURTH!
People seem to think I have got it in for ‘The Grinch (2018). Not so. I just think that the 2000 live-action film is much better. Having said that though, this Benedict Cumberbatch voiced animated version still has the charm needed to keep us all entertained. Children and adults will lap up the antics portrayed here and will come back for more. It will certainly keep the little ones entertained for a while, leaving you time to sit in the kitchen with a glass of sherry and a mince pie, getting your breath back. The film has dropped three places this week, from topping the tree to now reside in the fourth position.
THE POLAR EXPRESS SLIPS SLIGHTLY!
The top five titles are rounded out by the moving, entertaining, and tear-jerking ‘The Polar Express.’ The CGI animated film has slipped back a single place as it drops to the fifth position. The Tom Hanks-led film remains one of the UK’s favorite Christmas films of all time, and rightfully so. It is the sort of film that somehow manages to touch the child inside all of us. The ending will resonate with the adults more than children. It will bring back memories of times of innocence as children. Times that ended far too soon. Times when the magic of Christmas was within us all.
THE SUICIDE SQUAD STAND FIRM!
We move now into the bottom five places on the Christmas chart. Ahead of their first showing on Sky Movies Premiere on Boxing Day, ‘The Suicide Squad’ stands fast. The DC comic book sequel continues to battle military forces (and a really large monster) from the sixth position.
PAW PATROL TAKES A WALK UP!
Going out for another walk as it moves up a place, ‘PAW Patrol-The Movie’ decides to do its business this week from the seventh place. The animated film will keep the children entertained and makes for a great stocking filler for them.
ARTHUR CHRISTMAS CONTINUES TO RISE!
The animated film ‘Arthur Christmas’ continues to sell well on home entertainment. The film has risen a place this week as it continues to entertain from the eighth position.
SHANG-CHI BATTLES BACK FROM THE BRINK!
The Marvel Studios film ‘Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings’ has decided it doesn’t want to exit the chart just yet. The Simu Liu-starring origin film for the character fights back from the chart exit door, rising a place to fight from the ninth position.
DIESEL GETS FAST AND FURIOUS AGAIN!
And finally, rounding out the Christmas top ten, Vin Diesel has accelerated back into the chart. The latest in the franchise ‘Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga’ puts its foot down as it rises a place to reclaim a top ten spot in the tenth position.
2021 COMES TO AN END!
Well, what a twelve months it has been. We have seen old favorites sell by the bucket load to keep us entertained during the lockdown. We have seen the rise of the home premiere format in a big way. Simultaneous cinema and Disney+ premier access releases. And an increasingly shortened cinematic/ home entertainment window. But through it all, we have spent time together with our families and with some quality home entertainment. As we look forward to the big releases coming our way in early 2022, all that’s left for me to say is to all of you, have a very Merry Christmas, and a very happy (and healthy) New Year. And as always…
Whatever you decide, whatever you buy, stay safe, be kind, look after each other, and happy viewing!
Anyone wishing to buy any of the titles featured in The Official Film Chart can do so via FindAnyFilm.com. All videos and information have been supplied by Find Any Film and used under authorization.
Author
Carl Roberts is the News Editor of The Future of the Force. Aside from being our horror genre aficionado, he is also passionate about Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and the Indiana Jones movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force frequently!
