‘American Assassin’ and ‘mother!’ challenge ‘It’ at the box office

It’s going to be as big weekend at the box office, as two new releases are looking to take down last week’s massive number one. Will either of them be able to do it? Here’s our prediction:

American Assassin is based on Vince Flynn’s 2010 novel about a 23 year old orphan who is enlisted by the CIA to become a black ops recruit. The film stars Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Latham and Taylor Kitsch, all of whom, apart from Keaton who is currently riding a career resurgence, can’t open a film, even one with a built-in audience thanks to the success of the book. The film will have to settle for a second place showing with $12.5 million.

Also out this weekend is mother!, from director Darren Aronofsky and starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem. Reviews have been decent for the film (you read Luke Sneyd’s take here), but opening up a film that skews horror against It is a huge mistake, and will do mother! no favours at all. Look for a third place debut with $10 million.

As for the rest of the top five, It will remain on top of the box office with $53 million, as it will cross the $200 million mark in just over a week. Home Again will drop to fourth place with $4.5 million, while The Hitman’s Bodyguard will close things out in fifth with $3 million.

So, to recap, here are our predictions:

1) It – $53 million
2) American Assasin – $12.5 million
3) mother! – $10 million
4) Home Again – $4.5 million
5) The Hitman’s Bodyguard – $3 million

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