Three female African-American mathematicians topped the box office over the weekend. Hidden Figures edged out Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, earning $22.8 million.
Initial numbers had the two films tied, but Hidden Figures knocked Rogue One from the top spot after its three-week stint at number one. The film’s box office dollars aren’t the only thing worth noting.
The flick, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monaé, also pulled in a diverse audience. Women made up 64 percent of ticket buyers and 56 percent of ticket buyers were over the age of 35. Forty-three percent of the audience was White, while 37 percent was African-American.
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Henson reacted to news of the film’s success, writing, “I have been told my entire career “Black women can’t open films domestically or internationally”. Well anything is possible. Most importantly this proves that PEOPLE LIKE GOOD MATERIAL. HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GENDER OR RACE. Agreed?! Thank you to everyone who supported this weekend even during the snow storm (which btw affected some of our biggest demographics). AND WE WERE IN FEWER THEATERS!!! What a proud moment!!! #HiddenFigures P.S. telling me what I can’t do only makes me focus on proving nay Sayers WRONG!!!”
Congrats to the cast and crew of the film!