Positive Opening Box Office For “The Boxtrolls” And Laika’s Continued Partnership With Focus Features

Laika’s third big, stop motion feature, “The Box Trolls” (Laika and Focus Features) had some positive nationwide opening numbers, $17.3 million gross, Laika’s biggest opening yet.   Laika President,Travis Knight, and Focus Features CEO, Paul Schlessel announced late last week that they will continue to work together for three more projects.

“The Boxtrolls” Based on Alan Snow’s “Here Be Monsters”, the cardboard wearing Boxtrolls live beneath the streets of Cheesborough, only coming up from underground at night to collect items they need to build machines for their underground city. Ben Kinglsey, Elle Fanning, Toni Collette, Jared Harris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Richard Ayoade all star in feature, with Anthony Stacchi (“Open Season”) and Graham Annabel (story artist on “Coraline” and “ParaNorman“) co-directing, and produced by Travis Knight and David Ichioka. Focus Features holds the worldwide distribution rights. “The Boxtrolls” was made at Laika’s studio in Hillsboro, Oregon, and employed a cast and crew of around 200 people.