With a Friday the 13th starting off the weekend, FilmDistrict releases the horror sequel Insidious Chapter 2 [NSID2]. Patrick Wilson [PWILS] and Rose Byrne [RBRYN] reprise their roles from the first Insidious, which opened to $13.3 million in April of 2011 and dropped less than 30% in each of the next 3 weekends. That’s an excellent hold for any film, let alone a horror film, indicating a well-satisfied fanbase that is eagerly anticipating the sequel. Chapter 2 is directed once again by James Wan [JWAN], who’s hot coming off the blockbuster $41.9 million opening of the R-rated horror The Conjuring just two months ago. With a PG-13 rating, Insidious Chapter 2 will be able to tap into a younger crowd, not to mention the Hispanic audience that enjoys a good scary movie. Playing in 3049 theaters, Insidious Chapter 2 could scare up $34 million.
Robert De Niro [RDENI] and Michelle Pfeiffer [MPFIE] team up for the mob comedy The Family [TFMLY] directed by Luc Besson [LBESS]. The R-rated film is aimed at older adults for which Relativity has little competition this weekend. Although the stars are playing to their strength, De Niro and Pfeiffer are no longer box office draws. Hiding in 3091 theaters, The Family could put away $11 million
After leading last weekend as the only new release, Riddick [RIDC2] is headed for a hard fall. The sci-fi sequel may drop around 55% to $8.5 million.
Lee Daniels’ The Butler looks to cross the $100 million milestone in its fifth weekend with another $6 million. Heading into its third weekend, Instructions Not Included [ININC] expands further into the 932 theaters and looks to add another $5 million.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): NSID2, PWILS, JWAN, RDENI, TFMLY, LBESS, RIDC2, ININC