Occasionally the Australian box-office produces results that the trade doesn't expect: the latest examples are last weekend's debuts by 47 Ronin and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.
The 26 Australian films and documentaries released theatrically in 2013 collectively grossed $38,543,000.
The Australian creative elements involved in Saving Mr Banks and The Book Thief no doubt contributed to impressive openings for both films last weekend.
The star power of Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts did not translate to a hefty opening for August: Osage County in Australian cinemas last week.
An analysis of the Australian films released in cinemas in 2013 makes for grim reading, with a handful of critical and/or commercial successes outnumbered by misfires and under-achievers.
There is something for everyone in Australian cinemas, judging by last weekend's $33.7 million haul as all the mainstream Boxing Day openers plus the Anchorman sequel drew sizable audiences.
The gamble of launching The Railway Man in the ultra-competitive Boxing Day slot has paid off for the producers and distributor Transmission Films.
Will Ferrell's tireless efforts to promote Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues have paid off handsomely as the comedy he co-wrote with director Adam McKay dominated the Australian box-office last weekend.