A few new releases are looking for box office gold this weekend, but will any be able to KO a Kung Fu Panda? Here are our predictions:
Hail, Caesar is the latest film from the always reliable Coen Brothers. This time out, the duo are working in comedic territory, with an ensemble cast that includes Josh Brolin, George Clooney and Scarlett Johansson. The reviews have been fairly solid for the film, which is set in 1950s Hollywood. However, the buzz hasn’t been particularly big for this one and opening on Super Bowl weekend isn’t going to help get an audience into theaters. Look for a third place debut with $11 million.
Also opening this weekend is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, based on the book by Seth Grahame-Smith, which in turn was based on the classic novel by Jane Austen. Horror-comedies haven’t played particularly well as of late, and I’m doubtful that even having the word zombies in the title will held turn that trend around. It’s also been years since the book was a hit, and I have a feeling audiences have simply moved on. Look for a fourth place debut with $10 million.
As for the rest of the top five, look for Kung Fu Panda 3 to hold down the top spot at the box office for another weekend in a row, with $23 million. The Revenant will be in second place with $11.5 million, while Star Wars: The Force Awakens should close things out in fifth place with $7 million.
So, to recap, here are our predictions:
1) Kung Fu Panda 3 – $23 million
2) The Revenant – $11.5 million
3) Hail, Caesar – $11 million
4) Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – $10 million
5) Star Wars: The Force Awakens – $7 million
Be sure to check back on Sunday to see how the weekend turns out!
Star Wars, still hanging in there! 🙂