Ok, I’ve got just four words for your.
Snakes on a Plane.
Sure, pop culture fans remember the Samuel L. Jackson film for all the ridiculousness of a movie about muthafuckin’ snakes on a muthafuckin plane. But when that movie hit theaters in 2006 after all the online hype, it didn’t make a muthafuckin dime, debuting with just $13 million and topping out at $34 million.
And that’s what I keep thinking about when it comes to The Meg, the giant shark movie out this weekend staring Jason Statham. Online pop culture pundits like myself have been watching the trailers and photos for this one for a year now. I’m psyched, mainly because shark movies scare the crap out of me, and I liken going to one like riding a roller coaster. But just because there’s online hype doesn’t mean The Meg can translate to real dollars. In fact, I’m doubtful that it can, especially with the news that the film lacks bite, eschewing blood and guts for a PG-13 rating. On that note, look for a second place debut for The Meg with a simply “ok” $23 million.
As for the rest of the top five, Mission: Impossible – Fallout should threepeat at number one with $24.5 million. Disney’s Christopher Robin will be in third place with $15 million. The new Spike Lee Joint, BlackKklansman will likely debut in fourth place with $10.5 as serious counter-programming to all the summer noise. Finally, the new horror film Slender Man will debut in fifth place with $10 million.
So, to recap, here are our predictions:
1) Mission: Impossible – Fallout – $24.5 million
2) The Meg – $23 million
3) Disney’s Christopher Robin – $15 million
4) BlackKklansman – $10.5 million
5) Slender Man – $10 million
Be sure to check back on Sunday to see how the weekend turns out!
