Over the past few years, studio executives have been gleefully sliding the summer movie season further up each year, like that guy at the bar whose had too much to drink and doesn't think you'll notice if he scooches towards you a couple inches every few minutes. Movies one would expect to see between May and August are now starting to appear as early as February, which has recently proven to be as good a month as any for studios to plant a franchise tent pole.
This weekend is shaping up for a similar shakedown, with multiple, big franchises looking to stake an early 2017 claim. Such licenses include the second
50 Shades of Grey installment, the next chapter in the surprise
John Wick storyline, and of course the first of many
LEGO Movie spinoffs. These newcomers are set to square off against the reigning champ
Split as well as the hot underdog (and Oscar Darling)
Hidden Figures. By the looks of it, the box office could be in for quite a slobber knocker this weekend.
Here are my predictions for the match (ranked by predicted domestic gross):
#1: The LEGO Batman Movie
In February, 2014,
The LEGO Movie grossed near $70 million its opening weekend and from there continued its box office marathon, earning into the millions every weekend until April 11th. Since then its popularity has only grown (though it failed to garner a mere nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars that year). What's more, there hasn't been a new family release since December. Oh! I almost forgot: It also has "Batman" in the title and Batman sells. Big time.
Predicted gross: $80 million
#2: Fifty Shades Darker
If the first 'Fifty Shades' film proved anything, it's that Americans like to get freaky. That's my rationale for predicting a second place slot for the sequel. Though a vast majority of its overall domestic gross was already accumulated by the end of its first weekend (a grand total of just over $93 million), it dropped more than 73% the following weekend. Many complained that the film did not live up to the promised promiscuity of its sexy source material. The disappointment may carry over from 2015, but if this film is freakier than the first (like its marketing campaign suggests), then this follow-up will have *ahem* better legs.
Predicted gross: $55 million
#3: John Wick Chapter 2
Sometimes franchises are built on low budget surprises. Such was the case with
John Wick. When it came out in 2014, it didn't put up blockbuster numbers (raking in a little over $14 million its fire weekend out), but it also didn't have to. A relatively low budget coupled with high critical praise, including a pretty lucrative home video life. However, now the cat's outta the bag and people know what to expect from this retired-not-retired assassin.
Predicted gross: $19 million
#4: Split
After two consecutive box office successes, many are hailing the return of Writer-Director M. Night Shyamalan. After
Split rocked three back-to-back-to-back weeks on top the box office while also pulling in positive critical praise, it's difficult to argue otherwise. With three heavy hitters joining the fight this weekend, a drop to the number four slot should still mean a pretty decent return for the defending champ.
Predicted gross: $8.3 million
#5: Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures recently passed
La La Land to become the highest domestic grossing Best Picture nominee this year. Based on general reactions from moviegoers and critics alike, there seems to be a thirst for a feel good theater experience and
Hidden Figures definitely delivers on that front. Expect this true story to continue hanging around the top five for at least another weekend or two.
Predicted gross: $6.9 million
*All box office figures provided by Box Office Mojo & The Numbers.
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