The Angelina Jolie-directed “Unbroken” and Disney’s musical “Into the Woods” led the way Thursday, as moviegoers turned out in force on a busy Christmas Day that reversed a weeks-long slump at box office.
Universal’s inspirational tale of Olympic and World War II hero Louis Zamperini, based on Laura Hillenbrand’s bestseller and starring Jack O’Connell, exploded for an estimated $15.6 million in its first day. The third-best Christmas Day opening ever puts “Unbroken” on course for more than $40 million over the four days – roughly double what the studio and analysts had projected.