Does Disney's 'Frozen' Have What It Takes To Beat 'Catching Fire' To Box Office Glory

Frozen is the latest animated effort from Disney Studios and a movie that has so far proved a huge hit with critics and audiences alike. The wintry tale has all the hallmarks of a box office number one, however there is one thing standing in its way of reaching box office glory: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Can the enchantment of Frozen out-do Catching Fire

The second instalment of the Hunger Games series stormed to success upon its release last week and is still enjoying considerable returns from cinemas across America, and looks as though it could potentially become a record breaker should its impressive returns continue to deliver. According to Box Office Mojo, whilst Frozen is enjoying some promising box office activity, this doesn't look promising enough to oust Catching Fire from the top spot.

How come Catching Fire is being called the 'best film ever'

The Hunger Games is proving to be such a cinematic behemoth that it looks on course to break the record for the highest grossing film of the Thanksgiving 'five day weekend' period, stretching from Wednesday (27 Nov.) until Sunday (1 Dec.). Currently, this record is held by 2001's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which recorded $82.4 million in the box office in the same period. According to predictions, Catching Fire looks on course to record an unprecedented $85 million by Sunday.

A second week of success looks imminent for Catching Fire

Next Page: there might still be hope for Frozen, plus full weekend predictions

Whilst a place at the top of the box office might be just out of it's grasp, Frozen still looks as though it will be another success story for the resurgent Disney Animation Studios, making it three hits in four years following the success of 2010's Tangled and 2012's Wreck-It Ralph. Whilst competition is tough and references within the film might not be as obvious as they were in Tangled or Wreck-It Ralph - the Brothers Grimm's Rapunzel is better-known than Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen, neither of which are more popular than video games - Frozen can still make an impact at cinemas.

Marketting for the film has concentrated on its humour, rather than the story or musical elements

Why do critics love Frozen so much?

Matching Tangled's $68.7 million five-day opening looks a little too far out of Frozen's league, thanks largely to the competition it faces, however it is sailing on a smooth course to reach the $40 mil. mark and may even surpass the $50 mil. mark over the weekend, providing weekend returns live up to their promise. And anyway, second place isn't bad is it?

Weekend Box office Forecast - Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 (via Box Office Mojo)

1. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - $62 million

2. Frozen - $44.7 million

3. Black Nativity - $13 million

4. Thor: The Dark World - $11.3 million

5. Homefront - $8.9 million

Watch the trailer for Frozen