I really thought this looked totally unappealing and would be lucky to gross 50 million. But it's going to open to 30 million, which will lead to over 120 million total conservatively.

Ferrell and Wahlberg are stars. Targeting the right audience. Released at the right time with a Christmas theme.

Not unlike Little Fockers. It looks like a $150m grosser.

I guess The Other Guys did leave an impact and a big demand for this duo. Ferrell also hasn't played an Everyman since that movie, going with mostly larger than life doofus dads and even more out there stuff like Casa.

I certainly didn't see it coming though.

It was probably the most appealing option for Christmas not called SW. I mean looking at what else came out its no surprise it did the best but ya over 11 isn't what I expected.

Although the trailers look unappealing, being the only seasonal comedy on the market and the star power help it significantly.

Its marketing has been atrocious, so that cannot be an answer. I guess it is just a very accessible comedy, and every Christmas needs a family comedy.

Actually its marketing picked up a lot the last few days with Ferrell and Wahlberg doing rounds of interviews and gags. This is how star power is used. It works magic outside of the movie.

They advertised it in an interesting way: it is PG-13 and seems fairly raunchy or at least ribald, yet it is also regarded as the Christmas family option.

And while stepfather-versus-"real"-father is the type of premise critics consider mean-spirited or overly simplistic, general audiences can relate to and laugh along with it. Similar to Meet the Parents' spoofing of mean in-laws.

Everything I saw was awkward and stale. Ferrell and Wahlberg looking bored to be there, and their jokes landing with a thud. Apart from Ferrell's Jimmy Kimmel appearance (which wasn't a blatant Daddy's Home stunt anyway) it was all fairly unfunny stuff.

Ferrell doesn't always get credit where its due but he's opened 12/14 of his comedies since Elf to $20 m +. Semi-Pro and Land of the Lost were his only sizable flops.

I will go with O and Ferrell comedy over Christmas benefited a lot from this. Otherwise I just don't have any explanation for this to do such big numbers.

It's hard to believe hype for this was bigger than Spy or Trainwreck. Its on pace to be the first live action comedy to do 150 million since 22 Jump Street.

Spy and Trainwreck were both R-rated films with female leads that were aimed specifically at adults. Not one of those descriptors applies to Daddy's Home.

Did you see who is in it? No brainer

To me, this looked comparable to Grudge Match in terms of appeal. Star power helps, but if a movie looks as horrible as this one, it generally doesn't.