Goodbye, Snow White and the Huntsman. Hello, Prometheus! Or will it be Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted? Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa kicked off its run with an impressive $63.1 million, but that was back in 2008. While it’s highly unlikely the film will open with a $15,559 per theater average, $10,000 isn’t out of the realm of possibility and with 4,000 theaters, that means the film could still earn $40 million. As for Prometheus, while there is a significant amount of hype around the film, it’s far from a record-breaker. Should it have a similar start to last year’s X-Men: First Class, it’ll have a $55 million weekend one.
After a strong $56.2 million start, Snow White and the Huntsman will have to bite the poisonous apple and suffer a 50% loss, leaving it with about $28 million for its second weekend out. Men in Black 3 is heading towards a hefty drop as well, likely to lose half of its weekend two profits. Should MIB 3 only take $14 million this weekend, the gap will continue to close between it and the longer lasting The Avengers. If The Avengers only loses 40% of its weekend five profits, it’ll take another $12 million.
Not only will Battleship’s fast decline leave it with just under $2.5 million for its fourth weekend out, but it’ll also let The Dictator, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and perhaps even What to Expect When You’re Expecting exceed it on the top ten. The Dictator hasn’t had particularly long legs, but at this point, it doesn’t have much to lose, so should only drop 45% for $2.5 million. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has enjoyed a stellar run thus far, but this weekend could bring its biggest loss yet. However, a 35% drop for another $3 million isn’t all that bad. What to Expect When You’re Expecting could benefit from the lack of romantic comedy competition, only losing 42% and earning another $2.5 million.
Now the big question is, can an additional 54 theaters give Moonrise Kingdom the boost it needs to creep into the top ten? Moonrise began its run with an incredible $130,749 per theater average, but only showed at four theaters, so only accumulated $522,996. From there it got another 12 theaters, boosting its profits by 67.7% and getting it from the 15th spot to #13. This time around, its per theater average will definitely drop, but even if its weekend two $54,805 average gets slashed in half, it’ll still amass nearly $2 million, easily taking the last position on the top ten.
Shockya.com Predictions
1. Prometheus
2. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
3. Snow White and the Huntsman
4. Men in Black 3
5. The Avengers
6. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
7. The Dictator
8. What to Expect When You’re Expecting
9. Battleship
10. Moonrise Kingdom
By Perri Nemiroff (via Box Office Mojo)
