The Devil Inside Takes On Tom Cruise – Biff Bam Pop’s Box Office Predictions, Weekend of January 6th, 2011

A film more suited for Halloween than January is our one and only new release this weekend, which means Tom Cruise stands a stellar chance of topping the box office once again, while the top 5 should remain fairly static. Here’s how the weekend should turn out:

The Devil Inside is our one and only new release for the weekend and is another in the long line of “true” exorcism films that we’ve seen the last few years. The film has some genuinely scary trailers and television commercials that should appeal to those looking for a scare, and with a budget of less than $1 million, it should make its money back opening weekend. However, I doubt that it will have a particularly strong weekend; certainly not enough to take the top spot at the box office. Look for The Devil Inside to debut in third place with $13 million.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol has become the film to see over the last few weeks, bringing in steady audiences and strong word of mouth (the Queen and I liked it ourselves, though it was maybe 20 minutes too long). Look for it to hold onto the top spot, bringing in $18 million.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows has also managed to hold steady after a disappointing debut. It should land at number two this weekend with $15 million. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked will hit fourth with $12.5 million, while the underperforming The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo will close out the top five with $10 million.

So, to recap, here are our predictions:

1) Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol – $18 million
2) Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows – $15 million
3) The Devil Inside – $13 million
4) Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked – $12.5 million
5) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – $10 million

Be sure to check back here on Sunday to see how the weekend turns out1