Sony Animation is looking to claim September as its month with the release of the animated sequel Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 [CWCM2]. The original Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was a surprise hit four years ago with a $30.3 million opening that excellent word of mouth stretched to $124.9 million total. Last year, Sony set a new September record when Hotel Transylvania opened at $42.5 million. With a lack of competing fares since the start of school, the PG-rated sequel has the family market as well as the teen demographics all to itself. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is likely to reach a new September high even if Sony has to fudge it to $43 million from 4001 theaters.
The dark subject matter and arthouse sensibility of Prisoners [PRSNS] has not turned off moviegoers. With award buzz, the drama should hold 60% and take in about $13 million in its second weekend.
After opening in New York and Los Angeles to get the positive buzz flowing, the period racing drama Rush [RUSH] expands wide into 2297 theaters. Americans may not be familiar with the real-life 1970s rivalry between two Formula 1 drivers, so Universal has centered the marketing around Chris Thor Hemsworth [CHEMS] handling fast cars and loose women. The R-rated film directed by Ron Howard [RHOWA] has earned excellent reviews, especially the pulse-pounding racing scenes. Competition for the adult audience is heavy on the first lap, so Rush may settle with $12 million.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt [JGORD] toplines Don Jon [DJADC] in a comedy he also wrote and directed. Scarlett Johansson [SJOHA] co-stars in the R-rated film about the dysfunctional relationship between a man obsessed with online porn and a woman looking for a Hollywood-produced fantasy romance. The Relativity release should attract the college crowd and young couples. Playing in 2422 theaters, Don Jon could score $11 million.
Fox Searchlight targets African-Americans with the PG-13 romantic comedy Baggage Claim [BAGCL]. Paula Patton [PPATT] stars as a stewardess looking for Mr. Right from among her many ex-ex’s. Showing in 2026 theaters, Baggage Claim could land $9 million.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): CWCM2, PRSNS, RUSH, CHEMS, RHOWA, JGORD, DJADC, SJOHA, BAGCL, PPATT