As we head into the dog days of summer, the final films of the blockbuster season are hitting theatres this weekend. While we’re guranteed that one of them will top the box office, I don’t think any of them will bring in the big money. Here’s how I think the weekend will shape up.
Spy-Kids 4: All the Time in the World is the latest in the family friendly film franchise from director Robert Rodriguez. Filmed in 3D and incorporating Aroma-scope to give it that immersive feeling, Spy-Kids 4 stars Jessica Alba and Antonio Banderas, neither of whom can be considered box office draws at this point in their careers (am I the only wishing Alba would make Honey 2?). It’s been eight years since the previous film (which opened with $33 million on its way to $111 million) and in the ensuing time they’ve certainly ingrained themselves in the minds of kids, though I wouldn’t go so far as to call them classics. Look for Spy Kids 4 to top the box office this weekend with $21 million.
Conan The Barbarian reboots the legendary character, bringing him to the movies for the first time since 1984. Out of the loincloth is Arnold Schwarzenegger and in is Jason Momoa, best known for roles in Stargate: Atlantis and Game of Thrones. While Conan may be a familiar name, I would ask you – how many commercials have you seen for this latest film? I feel that this one has been flying under the radar and is going to land with a definite thud this weekend. Other than the Lord of the Rings films, I can’t recall sword and sorcery playing well at the box office. I think Conan The Barbarian will make $14 million and land at number five.
The final big release of the weekend is Fright Night, a remake of the classic 1985 horror flick about a teenager who discovers his neighbour is vampire and enlists a tv actor to help kill the undead. As a huge fan of the original, I’d been seriously sceptical about the remake, but the trailers and the film’s pedigree (Anton Yelchin as teenage Charlie and Colin Ferrel as vampire Jerry Dandridge, along with Buffy The Vampire Slayer writer Marti Noxon as screenwriter) have sold me. The question is, will filmgoers want to see a violent, dark vampire film? Last week I totally overestimated the demand for a summer horror flick with Final Destination, but I do believe Fright Night will find an audience, even if it’s not part of a franchise. I’m predicting a second place showing with a gross of $19 million.
As for the rest of the top five, The Help should continue its strong performance, seeing as it’s the only adult film in theatres at the moment. Expect a third place finish with $18 million.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes has continued to hold strong during the week; look for it to gross another $16 million to score a fourth place finish.
To recap, here are our predictions:
1) Spy-Kids 4: All the Time in the World – $21 million
2) Fright Night – $19 million
3) The Help – $18 million
4) Rise of the Planet of the Apes – $16 million
5) Conan The Barbarian – $14 million
Check back on Sunday to see how our predictions turned out.
