It’s the weekend before Halloween and a few heavy hitters are looking to suck in audiences itching for some frights. Will any of the new releases top the box office? Here’s our prediction:
Six years after the first film debut in theatres and proceeded to scare the hell out of unsuspecting audiences, the sixth and apparently final film in the Paranormal Activity franchise debuts this weekend. The Ghost Dimension is purported to answer any lingering questions that the previous films had left (minus The Marked Ones, which is a spin-off from the main franchise). The last two PA films have seen diminishing box office returns, and with a deal struck between Paramount and Cineplex and AMC theatres to release the film on VOD when it drops below 300 theatres screening it, this could be the least successful film in the franchise yet. Look for a fifth place showing with $11 million.
Also opening this weekend is Vin Diesel’s The Last Witch Hunter, a by-the-numbers action/horror film that sees Diesel starring as Kaulder, an immortal witch hunter cursed to live forever rather than join his dead family in the afterlife. I had a chance to see the film earlier this week and, while far from being a good movie, it was fairly entertaining, especially if you’re looking for something you don’t have to think about too much. The film has decent special effects, but for the most part, it feels like Constantine-light. You can pretty much tell that Diesel is hoping he has a new franchise on his hands, but I’m doubtful The Last Witch Hunter will bring in enough money in the long run to make it worth revisiting. Look for a first place showing with $21 million.
As for the rest of the top five, Goosebumps will drop to second place with $19 million. The Martian will be in third place with $12 million, while Steve Jobs will go into wide release with $11.5 million to land in fourth place.
So, to recap, here are our predictions:
1) The Last Witch Hunter – $21 million
2) Goosebumps – $19 million
3) The Martian – $12 million
4) Steve Jobs – $11.5 million
5) Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension – $11 million
Be sure to check back on Sunday to see how the weekend turns out!
Lol. A 19.5% drop for Goosebumps? Ok.