- Vice Ganda’s The Mall, The Merrier takes the top spot at the box office among the MMFF 2019 entries
- The film managed to have a successful release despite the surrounding criticisms
- The Mall, The Merrier premiered last December 25 in cinemas
Vice Ganda’s comedy film The Mall, The Merrier is currently leading in the box office at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2019 based on the results of its first day gross in the cinemas.
Among the eight official entries in the annual film festival, The Mall, The Merrier apparently attracted more moviegoers with its Christmas-themed comedy. The film which also stars Anne Curtis, Elisse Joson, Jameson Blake, Tony Labrusca, and Dimples Romana, looks into the story of two siblings who clash over the ownership of a mall previously owned by their parents.
The good box office result was quite unexpected considering that the film had faced criticisms since its teaser was released. Others commented that it was the star-studded cast of the film which played a big part in its successful debut.
Even with Typhoon Ursula making landfall in the country and causing the closure of some malls/cinemas in Visayas and Mindanao, this did not hinder fans from showing their support for the film.
Moreover, the first movie team-up of Vice with his It’s Showtime co-host,Anne, also gained positive remarks from viewers. Based on the reviews, some netizens commented that The Mall, The Merrier is “better” than the previous films of the Unkabogable Star. Some also appreciated that social commentaries and family values have been incorporated in the film.
Here is the unofficial ranking of the eight MMFF 2019 entries based on their first day gross:
1. The Mall, The Merrier
2. 3Pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon
3. Miracle In Cell No. 7
4. Mission Unstapabol The Don Identity
5. Sunod
6. Mindanao
7. Culion
8. Write About Love
Vice is known for his several box office hits. He began his film career playing supporting roles, but his first starring role in the remake of the comedy film Petrang Kabayo became an instant hit. Since then, he has acted in several top-grossing films in Philippine cinema including ‘Praybeyt Benjamin’, ‘Sisterakas’, ‘Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy’, ‘The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin’, ‘Beauty and the Bestie’, ‘The Super Parental Guardians, and Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad‘. Unfortunately, his latest film ‘Fantastica‘ failed to live up to its predecessors.
