“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” was No. 1 for movies on demand from Dec. 21 to Dec. 27, 2015, according to Rentrak.* With the IMF disbanded, and Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) out in the cold, the team now faces off against a network of highly skilled special agents, the Syndicate. These highly trained operatives are hellbent on creating a new world order through an escalating series of terrorist attacks. Ethan gathers his team and joins forces with disavowed British agent Ilsa Faust (played by Rebecca Ferguson), who may or may not be a member of this rogue nation, as the group faces their most impossible mission yet. “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” was a massive hit with critics and cinema audiences.
“Ted 2” was No. 2. Newlywed couple Ted and Tami-Lynn want to have a baby, but in order to qualify to be a parent, teddy bear Ted will have to prove he’s a person in a court of law. Starring Mark Wahlberg and Amanda Seyfried. “Ted 2” got mostly negative reviews from critics and did mediocre business at the box office.
“Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials” was No. 3. In this next chapter of the epic “Maze Runner” saga, Thomas (played by Dylan O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles. Teaming up with resistance fighters, the Gladers take on WCKD’s vastly superior forces and uncover its shocking plans for them all. Most critics gave mixed reviews to “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials,” which did average business at the box office.
“Ant-Man” was No. 4. The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man.” Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang (played by Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (played by Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world. Also starring Corey Stoll, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Peña and T.I. “Ant-Man” received mostly positive reviews and was a big hit at the box office.
“Minions” was No. 5. Starting as single-celled yellow organisms, Minions evolve through the ages, perpetually serving the most despicable of masters. Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these masters-from T. rex to Napoleon-the Minions find themselves without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression. But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he (alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob) ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow. The trio embarks upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (voiced by Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain. They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind from annihilation. “Minions” got mixed reviews from critics but the film was a commercial success.
Also noteworthy: The fantasy film “Pan” (starring Garrett Hedlund, Levi Miller and Hugh Jackman) debuted at No. 8. The Christian drama “War Room” (Priscilla C. Shirer, T.C. Stallings and Beth Moore) debuted at No. 9.
Here are the Top 5 movies on demand for the week of Dec. 21 to Dec. 27, 2015:
1. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation*
2. Ted 2*
3. Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials*
4. Ant-Man*
5. Minions*
*Rentrak did not publish the previous week’s chart.
