Tim Burton, Johnny Depp And Dark Shadows Battle Marvel’s The Avengers – Biff Bam Pop’s Box Office Predictions, Weekend of May 11th, 2012

Most weeks I’d love to be Johnny Depp. Or even Tim Burton, for that matter (minus the kidney stones but I’ll take the mop of hair). This weekend, though, I’m really just happy to be me. Because no matter what happens to me over the next three days, I’m definitely not going to have my ass handed to me by The Avengers. Sadly, neither Johnny or Tim can say the same thing, as their latest film collaboration, Dark Shadows, debuts in theatres. Here’s our prediction for that film’s return, along with what we expect to see The Avengers bring in during its second weekend in release:

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have been talking about bringing the 60’s supernatural soap opera Dark Shadows to the big screen for years, and devoted fans of the original have long loved the idea. And then the trailer hit and fandom and geekdom didn’t know what ti make of it. Most were expecting some sort of moody, gothic drama and instead, at first, Dark Shadows looks like something along the lines of The Brady Bunch flicks (good as those both are). Suffice to say, expectations were lowered dramatically. Then throw in the fact that the film is up against The Avengers, which is breaking records and bringing in money like no other film in history, and really, Dark Shadows is in a no-win situation. Throw in some negative reviews (it’s currently only 44% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes) and what I think we’ll be left with is one of the bigger disappointments of the summer. Series devotees and fans of Burton and Depp should make up the weekend audience, but I don’t think there will be enough to make Dark Shadows stand out from the crowd. Look for a second place showing with $30 million.

As for the rest of the top five, The Avengers is once again the film to watch, as it looks to become the first movie to ever bring in over $100 million in it’s second weekend in release. That should be an easy accomplishment, as the movie has already brought in more than $257 million in just seven days. Some may play it safe in predicting a gross slightly below or over $100 million, but I have a feeling that The Avengers will continue its unprecedented run with a second week gross of $115 million. Regardless if I’m close or not, it will certainly top the box office again.

As for the rest of the top five, look for Think Like A Man to bring in $5 million for third place; The Hunger Games should score $4.5 for fourth place while The Pirates! will close out the top five with $3 million.

So, to recap, here are our predictions:

1) Marvel’s The Avengers – $115 million
2) Dark Shadows – $30 million
3) Think Like A Man – $5 million
4) The Hunger Games – $4.5 million
5) The Pirates! – $3 million

Be sure to check back on Sunday to see how the weekend turns out!