‘1917’ Wins the Weekend Box Office Battle with $36.5 Million as ‘Rise of Skywalker’ Slows

Universal Pictures has officially earned bragging rights now that its World War I action flick 1917 has unseated Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in the second weekend in January. Directed by Sam Mendes, 1917 stars Dean-Charles Chapman and George McKay as two British soldiers tasked to get a message to across enemy lines to warn of an impending attack with no time to spare. In its first weekend in wide release, 1917 earned $36.5 million domestic, bringing its total here in the U.S. up to $39.2 million. Image …