Two new wide releases brave the second weekend of the blockbuster The Hunger Games [HGAME]. The sci-fi film’s $152.5 million opening is the biggest ever for a non-sequel and ranks third highest of all times. The resulting press and positive buzz has turned The Hunger Games into a must-see event for moviegoers who want to be in the water-cooler conversation. Even if it loses a tad over 50% of its opening weekend, The Hunger Games would still finish far ahead in first place with about $72 million.
Even though Clash of the Titans opened to $61.2 million, the 2010 remake was panned by critics and audiences alike as well as maligned for its lousy 3D conversion. Nevertheless, Warner Bros. has produced a sequel Wrath of the Titans [CLSH2], which is likely to do better overseas than domestically. The marketing has done little to explain the story beyond Sam Worthington’s [SWORT] Perseus battling CG monsters right out of the videogame 'God of War', or rather Greek mythology. Overshadowed by the success of The Hunger Games, the unnecessary sequel hopes to still reach the young male demographic. Storming into 3545 theaters, Wrath of the Titans may slay $35 million.
The first of two Snow White live-action films this year, Mirror Mirror [SNOWH] opens ahead of Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman. In beating its competitor to market, Relativity may come to regret slotting the female-targeted film in the wake of The Hunger Games. Corny trailers have killed any chance of the PG-rated film breaking out beyond an audience of girls and their mothers that are Julia Roberts [JROBE] fans. Shown in 3603 theaters, Mirror Mirror could reflect around $21 million.
Entering its third weekend, 21 Jump Street [21JST] may bag another $12 million to lock down fourth place.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): HGAME, CLSH2, SWORT, SNOWH, JROBE, 21JST