Last year, around this very time I believe, we were dropping off my daughter at daycare during the week, and were faced for what feels like weeks upon weeks of traffic and road closures. The reason – one of the few times that I’ll ever be able to say Adam Sandler, who was filming the movie that’s released this weekend. Will the finished product be as annoying to filmgoers as the filming was to commuters and parents? Here’s our prediction:
Pixels, in which aliens send video game characters like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong to invade Earth, looks mildly entertaining, I suppose. I mean, really, really, mild. But then you start to see the reviews, which are currently at just 12% fresh over at Rotten Tomatoes. Is anyone surprised? When was the last time Sandler did a really good movie? Or had an outstanding opening? It’s been a while. While 80s nostalgia fans may get a kick out of this one, I don’t see Pixels doing big numbers. On that note, look for a first place debut with $35 million.
Also debuting this weekend is Paper Towns, an adaptation of the John Green novel, staring Shailene Woodley. The book had a solid tween audience, so it should be able to get at least a few readers into theaters this weekend. Look for a third place showing with $24 million.
Also out this weekend is the Jake Gyllenhaal boxing film Southpaw; this one will likely suffer from the one-two punch of bad reviews and being released during the summer blockbuster season. Look for it to show up outside the top five.
As for the rest of the top five, last week’s number one Ant-Man will drop to second place with $25 million. Minions will be in fourth place with $23.5 million, while Trainwreck should close things out in fifth with $18 million.
So, to recap here are our predictions:
1) Pixels – $35 million
2) Ant-Man – $25 million
3) Paper Towns – $24 million
4) Minions – $23.5 million
5) Trainwreck – $18 million
Be sure to check back on Sunday to see how the weekend turns out!
