It’s Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., which means a long weekend for our friends living in America. It also means two big releases jumped the guy and started their run earlier this week. Will that bite into their success this weekend? And just who will come out on top – the wolfpack or a kung fu panda? Here’s Biff Bam Pop’s predictions for this weekend (Friday-Sunday):
The Hangover 2, the sequel to the massive 2009 comedy hit, reunites Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakas for more R-rated, drunken merriment. However, unlike the first film which was both a critical and commercial success, this second time round is not getting great reviews. As of this writing, it’s currently sitting at 32% rotten at Rotten Tomatoes, which is a poor showing. Will the negative reviews impact its success this weekend? Doubtful – The Hangover 2 is going to be critic proof for sure, as it has already grossed $10 million from its midnight Thursday opening. With that in mind, I’m predicting a solid $70 million three day haul and a first place showing for The Hangover 2.
The second big release this weekend is Kung Fu Panda 2, the sequel to the 2008 Dreamworks animated hit. This film is one that I think has been flying under the radar, especially considering all the awareness when it comes to The Hangover 2. What Kung Fu Panda 2 has going for it, besides the voice talents of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman and Seth Rogan, is that it’s the only big new family film currently in theaters (Rio is fading and will be out of the top 5 this week). I’m guessing that we’ll see Kung Fu Panda 2 work as counter programming to The Hangover 2 this weekend with a debut placing at number two and a gross of $65 million.
The rest of the top 5 should be fairly predictable, at least in terms of order:
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has been on top of the box office for most of the week, but word of mouth isn’t great for the fourth entry in the franchise and I have a feeling that it will have scored much of its audience on its opening weekend. I’m predicting a three day gross of $40 million, a decline of nearly 60% week to week, to put it in third place.
The other big comedy in theatres right now is Bridesmaids, and it definitely has strong word of mouth going for it. It will certainly lose some audience to The Hangover 2 this weekend. I’m predicting a fourth place finish with a gross of $15 million.
Rounding out the top 5 in its fourth weekend will be the God of Thunder, Thor with a predicted $11 million gross. The Marvel superhero film will cross the $150 million mark this weekend and make back its budget in North America, but its doubtful that its going to reach that always desirable $200 million plateau. Iron Man Thor is not.
So to recap our top 5 predictions:
1) The Hangover 2 – $70 million
2) Kung Fu Panda 2 – $65 million
3) Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – $40 million
4) Bridesmaids – $15 million
5) Thor – $11 million
Check back on Sunday to see how we did!
