Box Office Predictions »
Box Office: Mirrors, Clones and Tropic Thunder
Filed under: Action, Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Box Office, Box Office Predictions
It's starting to look like the only way we're going to get the bats out of the top five is to call an exterminator. Chalk up another $26 million for billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne and his war on crime as The Dark Knight hangs on to first place for a fourth week in a row. Seth Rogen's stoner comedy came in respectably at second, taking in only $3 million less than the Batman Begins sequel. Here's the break down:
1. The Dark Knight: $26.1 million
2. Pineapple Express: $23.2 million
3. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor: $16.4 million
4. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2: $10.6 million
5 Step Brothers: $9.1 million
We've got four new releases this week:
Mirrors
What's It All About: Directed by Alexandre Aja of High Tension fame, Mirrors stars Kiefer Sutherland as an ex-cop turned security guard who discovers something evil in the mirrors of an old museum. This scare flick is a remake of a Korean movie.
Why It Might Do Well: Who doesn't like a good scare, and Sutherland is a strong lead who is familiar to millions thanks to his work on 24.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The momentum for Asian horror remakes must be slowing by now, although every time I say that a new one pops up.
Number of Theaters: 2,600
Prediction: $12.5 million
1. The Dark Knight: $26.1 million
2. Pineapple Express: $23.2 million
3. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor: $16.4 million
4. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2: $10.6 million
5 Step Brothers: $9.1 million
We've got four new releases this week:
MirrorsWhat's It All About: Directed by Alexandre Aja of High Tension fame, Mirrors stars Kiefer Sutherland as an ex-cop turned security guard who discovers something evil in the mirrors of an old museum. This scare flick is a remake of a Korean movie.
Why It Might Do Well: Who doesn't like a good scare, and Sutherland is a strong lead who is familiar to millions thanks to his work on 24.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The momentum for Asian horror remakes must be slowing by now, although every time I say that a new one pops up.
Number of Theaters: 2,600
Prediction: $12.5 million
Box Office: Pineapple Pants
Filed under: Comedy, Box Office Predictions
Brendan Fraser's third outing as a mummy wrangler did OK, but not well enough to unseat The Dark Knight which has held the number one sport for three weeks now. Here's the top five:
1. The Dark Knight: $42.6 million
2. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor: $40.5 million
3. Step Brothers: $16.5 million
4. Mamma Mia!: $12.6 million
5. Journey to the Center of the Earth: $6.6 million
We've got two new releases this week, both of which are arriving in theaters today in hopes of building buzz for the coming weekend (and to avoid the start of the Olympics). Also, neither of them is directly targeting the same audience as The Dark Knight, which, even in its fourth week of release, is still the one to beat.
Pineapple Express
What's It All About: A stoner (Seth Rogen) and his dealer (James Franco) find themselves on the run after seeing a cop commit murder. Rogen wrote the script with Evan Goldberg, and this is the writing team behind Superbad.
Why It Might Do Well: Judd Apatow isn't directing, but he's on board as producer and he's got a story credit, so hopefully his magic touch will be in evidence. Also, most theaters provide comfortable seating with easy access to snacks, so the stoner crowd should feel right at home.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The aforementioned stoners might be saving their money for the recently announced Cheech and Chong reunion.
Number of Theaters: 3,072
Prediction: $24 million
1. The Dark Knight: $42.6 million
2. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor: $40.5 million
3. Step Brothers: $16.5 million
4. Mamma Mia!: $12.6 million
5. Journey to the Center of the Earth: $6.6 million
We've got two new releases this week, both of which are arriving in theaters today in hopes of building buzz for the coming weekend (and to avoid the start of the Olympics). Also, neither of them is directly targeting the same audience as The Dark Knight, which, even in its fourth week of release, is still the one to beat.
Pineapple ExpressWhat's It All About: A stoner (Seth Rogen) and his dealer (James Franco) find themselves on the run after seeing a cop commit murder. Rogen wrote the script with Evan Goldberg, and this is the writing team behind Superbad.
Why It Might Do Well: Judd Apatow isn't directing, but he's on board as producer and he's got a story credit, so hopefully his magic touch will be in evidence. Also, most theaters provide comfortable seating with easy access to snacks, so the stoner crowd should feel right at home.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The aforementioned stoners might be saving their money for the recently announced Cheech and Chong reunion.
Number of Theaters: 3,072
Prediction: $24 million
Box Office: It's Time to Build Bunk Beds!
Filed under: Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Box Office, Remakes and Sequels, Box Office Predictions
Last weekend, the box office exploded with The Dark Knight, which broke the opening weekend record, while Mamma Mia! did what it could in the shadow of bat wings and Space Chimps couldn't reach the top five with its $7.2 million. Matt was almost spot-on with his predictions last week, but I'll try to hold down the fort this week while he's away.
The top five totals:
1. The Dark Knight: $158,411,483 *
2. Mamma Mia!: $27,751,240
3. Hancock: $14,040,178
4. Journey to the Center of the Earth: $12,340,435
5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army: $10,117,815
There's two new wide releases this week -- one for laughs, and one for those who yearn to believe.
Step Brothers
What It's All About: It's the typical new-family scenario with a much older twist. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly star as spoiled adults who live at home and are less than pleased when their parents meet and get married. Quickly, however, they become best friends who indulge in all the fun things kids do. You know, whispering after lights out, making things... But then their folks have had enough and want to kick them out, spoiling their fun.
Why It Might Do Well: It's Ferrell and Reilly acting like kids, the bunk beds scene is flipping hilarious, and the two actors have a solid following.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The duo's shtick could be getting old, and it still has to face the roaring-forward Dark Knight.
Number of Theaters: 2,800+
Prediction: $23 million
The top five totals:
1. The Dark Knight: $158,411,483 *
2. Mamma Mia!: $27,751,240
3. Hancock: $14,040,178
4. Journey to the Center of the Earth: $12,340,435
5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army: $10,117,815
There's two new wide releases this week -- one for laughs, and one for those who yearn to believe.
Step BrothersWhat It's All About: It's the typical new-family scenario with a much older twist. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly star as spoiled adults who live at home and are less than pleased when their parents meet and get married. Quickly, however, they become best friends who indulge in all the fun things kids do. You know, whispering after lights out, making things... But then their folks have had enough and want to kick them out, spoiling their fun.
Why It Might Do Well: It's Ferrell and Reilly acting like kids, the bunk beds scene is flipping hilarious, and the two actors have a solid following.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The duo's shtick could be getting old, and it still has to face the roaring-forward Dark Knight.
Number of Theaters: 2,800+
Prediction: $23 million
Box Office: The Dark Knight Arrives
Filed under: Action, Animation, Comedy, Music & Musicals, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Thrillers, Box Office, Box Office Predictions
It's a good time to be a cinematic super hero, and Jules Verne proved that his work still has legs 103 years after his death, but Eddie Murphy's Meet Dave died a thousand deaths pulling in a mere $5.2 million and not even making the top five. Here are the totals:
1. Hellboy II: The Golden Army: $34.5 million
2. Hancock: $32 million
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth: $21 million
4. Wall-E: $18.7 million
5. Wanted: $11.9 million
Three new releases this week, and in the very broadest of terms we have one for the guys, one for the gals and one for the kids.
The Dark Knight
What's It All About: Do I really need to explain this one? Christian Bale returns to the role of Batman in the sequel to the series rebooting Batman Begins, with Christopher Nolan once again in the director's chair. There's a new crime boss in Gotham City and he's called The Joker (Heath Ledger). The two clash, things blow up, awesomeness ensues.
Why It Might Do Well: This will be the movie to beat this Summer. Batman is so ingrained into American pop culture that he's bonded to our collective DNA. Batman Begins grossed $205 million domestically and $371 million worldwide. The Dark Knight is scoring 88% over at Rottentomatoes.com and Cinematical's own James Rocchi had some good things to say about it.
Why It Might Not Do Well: There remains the possibility that people with a fear of bats will join forces with those with a fear of clowns and boycott the film, which of course means more popcorn for the rest of us.
Number of Theaters: 4,300
Prediction: $125 million
1. Hellboy II: The Golden Army: $34.5 million
2. Hancock: $32 million
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth: $21 million
4. Wall-E: $18.7 million
5. Wanted: $11.9 million
Three new releases this week, and in the very broadest of terms we have one for the guys, one for the gals and one for the kids.
The Dark KnightWhat's It All About: Do I really need to explain this one? Christian Bale returns to the role of Batman in the sequel to the series rebooting Batman Begins, with Christopher Nolan once again in the director's chair. There's a new crime boss in Gotham City and he's called The Joker (Heath Ledger). The two clash, things blow up, awesomeness ensues.
Why It Might Do Well: This will be the movie to beat this Summer. Batman is so ingrained into American pop culture that he's bonded to our collective DNA. Batman Begins grossed $205 million domestically and $371 million worldwide. The Dark Knight is scoring 88% over at Rottentomatoes.com and Cinematical's own James Rocchi had some good things to say about it.
Why It Might Not Do Well: There remains the possibility that people with a fear of bats will join forces with those with a fear of clowns and boycott the film, which of course means more popcorn for the rest of us.
Number of Theaters: 4,300
Prediction: $125 million
Box Office: Hancock Arrives
Filed under: Action, Comedy, Box Office, Family Films, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Box Office Predictions
It was a good weekend at the box office for both of last week's newbies, marking the first time in history that two films opening on the same weekend pulled in over $50 million each. Here's the top five:
1. Wall-E: $63 million
2. Wanted: $50.9 million
3. Get Smart: $20.2 million
4. Kung Fu Panda: $11.7 million
5. The Incredible Hulk: $9.6 million
Only one major release this week, but we've also got one going into wider release.
Hancock
What's It All About: Will Smith plays Hancock, a hard drinking anti-social superhero, and a PR agent played by Jason Bateman sets out to repair Hancock's public image.
Why It Might Do Well: Will Smith may not always have the Midas touch (I Am Legend left me cold) but he's got quite a few successful blockbusters under his belt, and people are loving the superhero flicks these days. I've liked Bateman's work a lot since Arrested Development, and I'm always glad to see him. Also, Cinematical's own Kim Voynar has given the film her seal of approval.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Unlike most big-budget superhero movies, this one doesn't originate from another media like comic books, so it doesn't come with the core fanbase of an Iron Man or an Incredible Hulk. Also, the 36% fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com is not encouraging.
Number of Theaters: 3,900
Prediction: $45 million
And going into wider release this week...
1. Wall-E: $63 million
2. Wanted: $50.9 million
3. Get Smart: $20.2 million
4. Kung Fu Panda: $11.7 million
5. The Incredible Hulk: $9.6 million
Only one major release this week, but we've also got one going into wider release.
HancockWhat's It All About: Will Smith plays Hancock, a hard drinking anti-social superhero, and a PR agent played by Jason Bateman sets out to repair Hancock's public image.
Why It Might Do Well: Will Smith may not always have the Midas touch (I Am Legend left me cold) but he's got quite a few successful blockbusters under his belt, and people are loving the superhero flicks these days. I've liked Bateman's work a lot since Arrested Development, and I'm always glad to see him. Also, Cinematical's own Kim Voynar has given the film her seal of approval.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Unlike most big-budget superhero movies, this one doesn't originate from another media like comic books, so it doesn't come with the core fanbase of an Iron Man or an Incredible Hulk. Also, the 36% fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com is not encouraging.
Number of Theaters: 3,900
Prediction: $45 million
And going into wider release this week...
Box Office: Who Wants WALL-E?
Filed under: Action, Comedy, Box Office, Angelina Jolie, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Box Office Predictions
Steve Carell scored big this week recreating the role of Agent Maxwell Smart in Get Smart, providing the best opening weekend ever for a film with Carell in the lead. The Incredible Hulk fell into second place for its second week but Hulk and Kung Fu Panda both outdid last week's other new release The Love Guru. Here are the totals:
1. Get Smart: $38.6 million
2. The Incredible Hulk: $22.1 million
3. Kung Fu Panda: $21.9 million
4. The Love Guru: $13.9 million
5. The Happening: $10.5 million
Two wide releases this week, a heartwarming comedy for the whole family and a stylized action adventure shoot-em-up for the older crowd.
WALL-E
What's It All About: Disney/Pixar is back with the tale of a lovable sentient trash compactor. WALL-E has been alone on the abandoned Planet Earth for hundreds of years, but he discovers a new purpose when he meets a robot named EVE. Apparently WALL-E has stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, a solution which the human race eagerly awaits.
Why It Might Do Well: The trailers look promising and WALL-E is written and directed by Andrew Stanton, who served in the same capacity on Finding Nemo, Pixar's most financially successful film to date. Plus, our star has the cute going on.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov described a condition called The Frankenstein Complex, which is a fear of robots -- but look at the little guy. Did I mention he's cute? This is easily next week's number one flick.
Number of Theaters: 3,900
Prediction: $70 million
1. Get Smart: $38.6 million
2. The Incredible Hulk: $22.1 million
3. Kung Fu Panda: $21.9 million
4. The Love Guru: $13.9 million
5. The Happening: $10.5 million
Two wide releases this week, a heartwarming comedy for the whole family and a stylized action adventure shoot-em-up for the older crowd.
WALL-EWhat's It All About: Disney/Pixar is back with the tale of a lovable sentient trash compactor. WALL-E has been alone on the abandoned Planet Earth for hundreds of years, but he discovers a new purpose when he meets a robot named EVE. Apparently WALL-E has stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, a solution which the human race eagerly awaits.
Why It Might Do Well: The trailers look promising and WALL-E is written and directed by Andrew Stanton, who served in the same capacity on Finding Nemo, Pixar's most financially successful film to date. Plus, our star has the cute going on.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov described a condition called The Frankenstein Complex, which is a fear of robots -- but look at the little guy. Did I mention he's cute? This is easily next week's number one flick.
Number of Theaters: 3,900
Prediction: $70 million
Box Office: Love Smarts
Filed under: Comedy, Box Office, Box Office Predictions
The Incredible Hulk took first place last weekend, but notably pulled in about $6.5 million less than Ang Lee's 2004 Hulk. M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening took third but still exceeded expectations. Here's last weekend's top five:
1. The Incredible Hulk: $55.4 million
2. Kung Fu Panda: $33.6 million
3. The Happening: $30.5 million
4. You Don't Mess with the Zohan: $16.4 million
5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: $14.7 million
Both of this week's new releases are comedies, putting them in direct competition with one another, so this should be interesting.
Get Smart
What's It All About: Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway star in this adaptation of the classic 60's spy comedy. Carell is Maxwell Smart, an eager but inexperienced analyst for an espionage agency called CONTROL. Max is suddenly promoted to field agent when the evil organization KAOS learns the identity of nearly every Control agent in the world, and he is teamed with the lovely agent 99 played by Hathaway.
Why It Might Do Well: There's nostalgia appeal at work here, plus Steve Carell's presence will stir up memories of hits like The 40 Year Old Virgin and he's still got plenty of fans from NBC's The Office.
Why It Might Not Do Well: How well a spy caper created during the Cold War translates to the 21st century remains to be seen. Also, the 58% rating at rottentomatoes.com isn't thrilling me.
Number of Theaters: 3,700
Prediction: $40 million
1. The Incredible Hulk: $55.4 million
2. Kung Fu Panda: $33.6 million
3. The Happening: $30.5 million
4. You Don't Mess with the Zohan: $16.4 million
5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: $14.7 million
Both of this week's new releases are comedies, putting them in direct competition with one another, so this should be interesting.
Get SmartWhat's It All About: Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway star in this adaptation of the classic 60's spy comedy. Carell is Maxwell Smart, an eager but inexperienced analyst for an espionage agency called CONTROL. Max is suddenly promoted to field agent when the evil organization KAOS learns the identity of nearly every Control agent in the world, and he is teamed with the lovely agent 99 played by Hathaway.
Why It Might Do Well: There's nostalgia appeal at work here, plus Steve Carell's presence will stir up memories of hits like The 40 Year Old Virgin and he's still got plenty of fans from NBC's The Office.
Why It Might Not Do Well: How well a spy caper created during the Cold War translates to the 21st century remains to be seen. Also, the 58% rating at rottentomatoes.com isn't thrilling me.
Number of Theaters: 3,700
Prediction: $40 million
Box Office: The Hulk is Happening
Filed under: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Box Office, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Box Office Predictions
The animated family film Kung Fu Panda proved to be the favorite last week, though the Adam Sandler comedy You Don't Mess With the Zohan didn't do too shabby either. The two films led the way for the second biggest June weekend in box office history.
1. Kung Fu Panda: $60.2 million
2. You Don't Mess with the Zohan: $38.5 million
3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: $22.7 million
4. Sex and the City: $21.2 million
5. The Strangers: $8.9 million
Two huge releases this week, each of which represents a comeback of sorts.
The Incredible Hulk
What's It All About: In the wake of Ang Lee's not so well received 2003 The Hulk, the franchise gets a reboot and the character gets back the adjective that all the 60s Marvel characters had (The Uncanny X-Men, The Amazing Spider-man, etc.). Edward Norton plays the over-irradiated Dr. Bruce Banner who, when angered, turns green around the gills and starts throwing tanks around. He is being pursued by the military which is led by General "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt) and he does battle with another gamma powered mutation called The Abomination (Tim Roth).
Why It Might Do Well: There appears to be more action in this Hulk movie than the last, and as Iron Man proved not that long ago, an exciting, well produced comic book movie can be a license to print money.
Why It Might Not Do Well: While this is a more satisfyingly ferocious looking Hulk, the fact that he's a CGI creation (albeit a pretty good one) is obvious to the point of distraction. Will audiences be able to get past this?
Number of Theaters: 3,400
Prediction: $65 million
1. Kung Fu Panda: $60.2 million
2. You Don't Mess with the Zohan: $38.5 million
3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: $22.7 million
4. Sex and the City: $21.2 million
5. The Strangers: $8.9 million
Two huge releases this week, each of which represents a comeback of sorts.
The Incredible HulkWhat's It All About: In the wake of Ang Lee's not so well received 2003 The Hulk, the franchise gets a reboot and the character gets back the adjective that all the 60s Marvel characters had (The Uncanny X-Men, The Amazing Spider-man, etc.). Edward Norton plays the over-irradiated Dr. Bruce Banner who, when angered, turns green around the gills and starts throwing tanks around. He is being pursued by the military which is led by General "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt) and he does battle with another gamma powered mutation called The Abomination (Tim Roth).
Why It Might Do Well: There appears to be more action in this Hulk movie than the last, and as Iron Man proved not that long ago, an exciting, well produced comic book movie can be a license to print money.
Why It Might Not Do Well: While this is a more satisfyingly ferocious looking Hulk, the fact that he's a CGI creation (albeit a pretty good one) is obvious to the point of distraction. Will audiences be able to get past this?
Number of Theaters: 3,400
Prediction: $65 million
Box Office: Panda Vs. The Zohan
Filed under: Comedy, Box Office, Box Office Predictions
Sex and the City surprised a lot of people, not by doing well, but by doing extremely well, pushing Indiana Jones back to the number two spot for its second week of release. Last week's other new release, The Strangers, starring Liv Tyler, scared the American public out of a respectable amount of cash as well. Here are the numbers:
1. Sex and the City: $56.8 million
2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: $44.7 million
3. The Strangers: $20.9 million
4. Iron Man: $13.5 million
5. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: $12.7 million
We've got two more new releases this week, both of which are going for the laughs.
What's It All About: A Kung Fu loving panda (voiced by Jack Black) must put work in the family noodle shop on hold when he is chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Now he studies alongside martial arts experts Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey -- under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu.
Why It Might Do Well: With all the big releases lately, there haven't been many geared toward the little ones, so I can see this one filling a void and Rottentomatoes.com gives it a 92% fresh rating.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Come on, he's a panda. What are you, some kind of panda hater? Heck, I suspect this will be next week's number one movie.
Number of Theaters: 3,600
Prediction: $56 million
1. Sex and the City: $56.8 million
2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: $44.7 million
3. The Strangers: $20.9 million
4. Iron Man: $13.5 million
5. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: $12.7 million
We've got two more new releases this week, both of which are going for the laughs.
What's It All About: A Kung Fu loving panda (voiced by Jack Black) must put work in the family noodle shop on hold when he is chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Now he studies alongside martial arts experts Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey -- under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu.
Why It Might Do Well: With all the big releases lately, there haven't been many geared toward the little ones, so I can see this one filling a void and Rottentomatoes.com gives it a 92% fresh rating.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Come on, he's a panda. What are you, some kind of panda hater? Heck, I suspect this will be next week's number one movie.
Number of Theaters: 3,600
Prediction: $56 million
Box Office: Sex With a Stranger
Filed under: Comedy, Horror, Box Office, Box Office Predictions
To absolutely no one's surprise, the return of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones made some serious cash this past weekend, achieving the tenth best opening weekend in history. Including Memorial Day receipts, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull pulled in $125 million. Prince Caspian slipped into second place, but in doing so tumbled 58% from the previous week. This summer's first blockbuster, Iron Man, took third place for its fourth week of release and has taken in a total of $252.6 million so far. Here's how the top five looked:
1. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: $100.1 million
2. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: $22.7 million
3. Iron Man: $20.4 million
4. What Happens in Vegas: $9.1 million
5. Speed Racer: $3.9
Two new releases this week, and between the two of them America should get its recommended daily allowance of sex and violence:
Sex and the City
What's It All About: Yes, they're back. Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her cohorts continue their escapades from the successful HBO series.
Why It Might Do Well: A 67% rating at Rottentomatoes.com isn't earth shattering, but it is respectable, and the show has a massive built-in cult following.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The movie will need to bring in more than just the show's fans, and this will be a tough sell for men.
Number of Theaters: 3,100
Prediction: $35 million
1. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: $100.1 million
2. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: $22.7 million
3. Iron Man: $20.4 million
4. What Happens in Vegas: $9.1 million
5. Speed Racer: $3.9
Two new releases this week, and between the two of them America should get its recommended daily allowance of sex and violence:
Sex and the CityWhat's It All About: Yes, they're back. Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her cohorts continue their escapades from the successful HBO series.
Why It Might Do Well: A 67% rating at Rottentomatoes.com isn't earth shattering, but it is respectable, and the show has a massive built-in cult following.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The movie will need to bring in more than just the show's fans, and this will be a tough sell for men.
Number of Theaters: 3,100
Prediction: $35 million
