Queer Christmas rom-com 'Happiest Season' helped to breathe some needed new life into the Aussie box office over the weekend, though most exhibitors continue to eagerly hang out for end-of-year releases 'Wonder Woman 1984' and 'The Dry'.
Despite being critically panned, Universal comedy 'The War With Grandpa' completely outstripped the competition in its opening weekend.
For the first time since cinemas reopened, two titles have earned more than $1 million in a single weekend, with 'The Witches' bowing and 'The War With Grandpa' continuing to climb.
Roadshow's 'The Dry' has now rung up almost $10 million in three weeks, proving strong word-of-mouth.
It's a rare feat for an Australian film to break through to the top of the box office, let alone for two local titles to lead the weekend's rankings - but 'Penguin Bloom' and 'The Dry' have done just that.
In a remarkable result, four Australian films - 'The Dry', 'Penguin Bloom', 'High Ground' and 'Occupation: Rainfall' - took home almost 50 per cent of the national box office last weekend.
Crime thriller 'The Little Things' is the first new release in weeks to succeed in knocking Robert Connolly's 'The Dry' from the no. 1 position at the box office.
As predicted, Roadshow's 'The Dry' has crossed the $20 million mark, making it the 14th highest grossing Australian film of all time.