Three new films aimed at different demographics join the weekend box office this weekend. However, none look to have an audience broad enough to topple two-time reigning champion Inception [INCPT]. The dreamy thriller has enjoyed the best word of mouth of the summer. Inception should decay around 35% to $27 million with a strong chance to three-peat at the top.
Paramount’s Dinner for Schmucks [SHMUC] looks to have the best opening amongst the new contenders. Steve Carell [SCARE], Paul Rudd [PRUDD] and Zack Galifinakis [ZGALI] star in the broad comedy about a contest to see who can bring the biggest idiot to a party. Marketing on the PG-13 rated film has been uneven, though the reviews have been mostly positive. Without a comedy since Grown Ups a month ago, audience looking for a laugh could attend Dinner for Schmucks and post $25 million from 2911 locations.
Angelina Jolie [AJOLI] proved bankable as a female spy on the run in Salt [ESALT]. The well-made thriller could crack another $20 million in its second weekend.
Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore [CTND2] arrives nine years after the original Cats and Dogs. The target audience who enjoyed the first film is now too old to want to see the sequel, so Warner Bros. will need to entice a new set of youngsters and their parents to shell out for another 3D family outing this summer. Opening in 3705 theaters, Cats and Dogs could rain down around $17 million.
Zac Efron [ZEFRO] gets serious as he carries a drama Charlie St. Cloud [DLCSC] on his own. The appeal of the PG-13 rated romance seems limited to females, teens and young women. Charlie St. Cloud could atone for about $14 million from 2720 theaters.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): INCPT, SHMUC, SCARE, PRUDD, ZGALI, AJOLI, ESALT, CTND2, ZEFRO, DLCSC