Carl Roberts 
This week on The Official Chart, Michael Myers stalks the chart and Spider-Man swings in but we can’t stop Venom taking the top spot!
Welcome to The Official Film Chart.
GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE IS NOW AVAILABLE TO BUY ON DIGITAL!
This past Monday has seen the digital retail release of ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife.’ The third film in the original franchise demands to be bought and owned. It follows on from ‘Ghostbusters II’ and continues the story. Although the original cast does appear during the film, this new entry concerns the family of Egon Spengler and the aftermath of his death. The film opened in cinemas back in November of 2021 and has hit the retail market pretty quickly. But after a great box office success, one that is continuing in certain areas, the film is now available for us all to own. I’m not going to influence your decision but I’ll say the film came in at number two in my top films of 2021.
DUNE IS COMING THIS COMING MONDAY!
Monday the 17th sees the digital release of the remake of the Frank Herbert novel ‘Dune.’ Director Denis Villeneuve has made an incredible first part of the novel. One that wipes away the stain of the 1984 adaptation. This is the definitive version of the novel, one that is deserving of becoming a part of anyone’s collection. The success of the film has guaranteed that the second half of the book will be filmed by Villeneuve alongside the returning cast members. The second part will be released in October of 2023. It is a long film, almost three hours long. But don’t let that put you off. It is worthy of the term of epic. And one that I would be surprised if it didn’t win any Oscars at this year’s ceremony.
THE OFFICIAL CHART
The chart is seeing some terrific new releases hitting the placings finally. And we see another one again this week. To make way for this new entry and two risers, we have to wish a fond farewell to ‘The French Dispatch’, ‘Harry Potter-The Complete Collection’, and ‘Peter Rabbit 2’. But what is the top-selling title for the past seven days? Has 007 managed to continue his run at the very top? Has Venom managed to battle his way to become number one? Or has something else managed to stalk its way in and grab chart domination? Time for us to find out.
VENOM TAKES A BIG BITE AT THE TOP!
We are number one! Thanks to hitting the disc formats last Monday to boost its digital performance, our new number one is ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage.’ The Sony/ Marvel Entertainment sequel has defeated all comers as it makes its way to the top of the tree, rising by one place. Tom Hardy once again stars as Eddie Brock/ Venom while Woody Harrelson plays the role of Cletus Kasady/ Carnage. Although the film isn’t as good as the original film, it is still an entertaining and enjoyable film. A great way to lose ninety minutes or so, the film is a perfect way to spend an evening in the warmth of our own homes.
007 FALLS TO 002!
After three weeks at the top of the chart, ‘No Time To Die’ falls a place to become this week’s second-placed title. The swansong of Daniel Craig’s time in Bond’s tuxedo, the film has been a roaring success on all fronts. It has broken sales records from the moment it hit digital retail in the middle of December. And proves that the public still has an appetite for the adventures of Ian Fleming’s most famous creation. Although not the best James Bond film of all time, it is a highly emotional and surprising entry into the franchise. It will be interesting to see how the franchise moves forward from this point. But, as the film proclaims after the end credits, James Bond Will Return.
ENCANTO MOVES UP A PLACE!
Moving up a place to take this week’s third place is the Disney animated film ‘Encanto.’ Despite having a curtailed cinema run, leading to it being a box office failure, the film is selling well. It is also available on Disney+ after it debuted on Christmas Eve. But that hasn’t stopped it from being embraced by the British public. An entertaining film that will appeal to all ages, the film is charming, funny, and is rewatchable.
SPIDER-MAN 2 MAKES ITS TOP TEN DEBUT!
Thanks to the box office success of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and its (SPOILER ALERT!) guest appearances from Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire, Maguire’s ‘Spider-Man 2’ makes its chart debut. The 2004 smash-hit sequel from director Sam Raimi has risen nine places to take the fourth place. With Alfred Molina, who also appears in the new movie as Doctor Octopus in support, the film is the best of the original trilogy. With Kirsten Dunst as Mary-Jane Watson also giving great support, the film is completely brilliant entertainment.
WE ARE NUMBER FIVE!
Not being happy with being the UK’s number one film, Venom has decided that he wants to hold the fifth spot too. And so he does. Rising by eighteen places to take the fifth spot this week is the ‘Venom/ Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ boxset. As can be expected, the set includes both of the symbiote’s cinematic solo efforts (so far). Tom Hardy seems born to play the role of Eddie Brock/ Venom and the films play to his strengths.
THE SUICIDE SQUAD TAKES A BAD HIT!
The DC sequel ‘The Suicide Squad’ starts our look at the bottom five titles this week. The film slips by three places to lead its violent and gory battles from the sixth position. It was premiered on Sky Movies on Boxing Day and this could be the cause of its fall this week. It remains an entertaining and amusing action movie, despite its more adult content.
SPIDER-MAN REMAINS FAR FROM HOME!
Another film that is benefitting from the success of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is the second Tom Holland solo film ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home.’ With support from Zendaya as M.J and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, the film is still an all-action, amusing and enjoyable Marvel film. The film has risen by a single place, webbing itself into the seventh position.
PAW PATROL TAKES A WALK DOWN THE CHART!
The charming children’s film ‘PAW Patrol: The Movie’ has decided it wants to take a walk this week. The film goes out to do its business by dropping three places to cock its leg up the eighth place lampost.
HALLOWEEN KILLS FROM NUMBER NINE!
Our only new entry for this week stalks its way into the ninth spot based on digital downloads alone. And it a welcome return for Jamie Lee Curtis and her nemesis Michael Myers as ‘Halloween Kills’ enters the chart. The follow-up to the 2018 sequel/ reboot is a much more bloody affair than ever before. It starts at the exact place where the 2018 film ended. But it is still a scary and nasty film that all fans of the franchise will lap up. The film will hit the disc formats on Monday, January 17th, giving it a big boost to its fortunes. I will give you a warning though with regards to the digital release. Some download sites are offering the same versions that will be hitting the disc formats. They contain the cinema version alongside an extended edition with special features to boot. Many others are only offering the cinema version to buy. So it will be best for you to do your homework before clicking the buy button.
THE LAST DUEL ON ITS LAST LEGS!
And finally, the Sir Ridley Scott epic ‘The Last Duel’ is seemingly on its last legs. The film, which is available to watch on Disney+ has dropped by four places this week as it continues to battle from the tenth and final spot on the chart.
ROUNDING OFF!
And that is that for this week. Next week should see the arrival of ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ on the chart. How high it enters is up for debate but I wouldn’t be shocked to see it hit the second position at least. But until then, my thanks for joining in the fun and mayhem. 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.
Carl Roberts is the News Editor for 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!
