It’s the calm before the storm. We’re just a week away from what could be a monumental opening for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and other films are running scared, leaving us with just a single new wide release this weekend, “The Best Man Holiday.” Even though it’s the only new film entering the race, “Thor: The Dark World” will snatch up the large majority of the box office pie. On top of that, it’s been 14 years since “The Best Man” hit theaters. Do fans still care enough to pay to see the characters reunite? I’m betting against it. “Best Man Holiday” might only manage to match “Jumping the Broom” with a weekend one total of about $15 million.
As for “Thor,” thanks to its $85.7 million first weekend out, a big percent change is inevitable, but if it manages to hold on to about 45% of its profits, similar to “Skyfall,” it’ll still take a whopping $38 million this time around. “Bad Grandpa” has been holding on rather strong and that’s likely to continue during its fourth weekend in theaters. If it splits the difference between its percent change during its second and third weekends out, it’ll drop about 40% and take another $7 million to the bank.
“Free Birds” has enjoyed minimal week-to-week declines as well, but considering it’s losing 226 theaters and “Last Vegas” is gaining 155, those two are bound to switch position. Should “Last Vegas” drop 32% again, it’ll take $7.5 million and claim the #3 spot while “Free Birds” could take a 40% hit and drop down to #5 with $6.5 million.
Luckily for “Ender’s Game” it’s got enough of a lead on “Gravity” to keep on top of that one, but thanks to an additional 268 theaters, “12 Years a Slave” will likely sneak up and steal #6, bumping “Ender” to #7. If “Ender” manages to bring that massive 62% weekend one to two drop down to 45%, it’ll post about $5.5 million. Then, if “12 Years a Slave” keeps its per theater average to about $4,000, it’ll take a total of $5.6 million. As for “Gravity,” another 33.4% loss will leave it with just under $5.5 million and the #8 spot.
Considering “About Time” only posted $3,965 per theater during weekend one of national expansion, “Captain Phillips” should have no trouble claiming the ninth position. Should “Captain Phillips” lose about 33% of its profits again, it’ll be looking at a $4.5 million sixth weekend out whereas “About Time” could drop 40% and take just $3 million in its third weekend out.
ShockYa Predictions
1. Thor: The Dark World
2. Best Man Holiday
3. Last Vegas
4. Bad Grandpa
5. Free Birds
6. 12 Years a Slave
7. Ender’s Game
8. Gravity
9. Captain Phillips
10. About Time
By Perri Nemiroff (via Box Office Mojo)