‘Renaissance: a Film by Beyonce’ not only met critics’ prediction of ending its opening weekend as the box office’s biggest draw but also made history in the process.

Details inside.

Currently the #1 movie in the U.S., the documentary – written, produced, and directed by Bey – grossed $22 million at the domestic box office over the December 1 weekend.

Outpacing previous champs like ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,’ ‘Godzilla,’ and others, the $22 million opening of the GRAMMY winner’s latest film marks a dynamic debut for what’s historically a slow post-Thanksgiving week at the movies.

For context, the last time a motion picture (of any genre) opened as high in early December was Tom Cruise’s 2003 hit ‘The Last Samurai’ ($24.3 million).

Of note, ‘Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce’ joins Michael Jackson‘s ‘This Is It’ (2009) as the two biggest openings of concert films starring acts of color of all-time. ‘It’ raked in a cool $23 million its inaugural weekend, while ‘Renaissance’ stands as the only movie of its ilk led by a woman of color to even collect $1M in box office receipts.

Biggest Openings of All-Time (Concert Films/Documentaries)

(as of time reported)

Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras’ – $92M
Miley Cyrus’ ‘Hannah Montana/Best of Both Worlds’ – $31M
Justin Bieber’s ‘Never Say Never’ – $29M
Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ – $23M
Beyonce’s ‘Renaissance’ – $22M

*figures do not account for inflation

[photo source: Getty Images/AP Photos/Parkwood]

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