A rather low-key end to the summer will be followed by a particularly slow first weekend of September. We’ve only got two new wide releases hitting theaters and neither looks to be a big moneymaker. “The Words” is due out in 2,801 theaters and should it follow in the footsteps of other CBS Films productions, it likely won’t make more than $10 million. Then there’s “The Cold Light of Day,” which has gotten little to no press and is only opening in 1,511 theaters. Even with a cast including Henry Cavill, Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver, it’ll be lucky to take $3 million to the bank.
All of the box office veterans are looking at hefty hits courtesy of last weekend’s holiday boost. Should “The Possession” take the traditional horror path, it’ll lose at least half of its opening profits for a $10 million second weekend out. Even with an additional 250 theaters, “Lawless” will only be able to hold onto half of its opening earnings, which would leave it with just about $6 million this time around. “The Expendables 2” looks to fizzle out well before hitting its $100 million budget at the domestic box office. Should it drop a little more than 50%, it’ll have a $5 million third weekend, falling just shy of “Lawless.” “The Bourne Legacy” should take a similar hit, leaving it with a weekend five total of $4.5 million.
Without any new kid-friendly competition coming into play, “ParaNorman” could hold on stronger than most, possibly only dropping 40% and taking another $5.5 million to the bank for the fifth position on the top ten. Thanks to another 82 theaters, “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” might lose half of its weekend three profits and post a little over $4 million, keeping on top of “The Dark Knight Rises,” which is due to drop 200 theaters, likely leaving it with just over $3 million for the weekend.
It’ll be a close call for that final spot on the top ten, but, odds are, “2016 Obama’s America” will hold on strong enough with about $2.5 million to keep ahead of “The Campaign,” which is due to lose 399 theaters.
Shockya.com Predictions
1. The Possession
2. The Words
3. Lawless
4. The Expendables 2
5. ParaNorman
6. The Bourne Legacy
7. The Odd Life of Timothy Green
8. The Dark Knight Rises
9. The Cold Light of Day
10. 2016 Obama’s America
By Perri Nemiroff (via Box Office Mojo)
