DreamWorks Animation revisits one of their more successful franchises with Kung Fu Panda 3 [PAND3]. The original opened to $60.2 million in June of 2008, while the sequel grossed $60.9 million over the 4-day Memorial weekend of 2011. Jack Black [JBLAC] reprises his role as the title character who meets his kin, including his father and sister, voiced respectively by Bryan Cranston [BCRAN] and Kate Hudson [KHUDS]. Advance ticket sales are pacing ahead of DreamWorks’ last movie Home, which opened to $52 million in March. The PG-rated film has the family market to itself. Fighting out of 3955 theaters, Kung Fu Panda 3 should punch out $52 million.
Marlon Wayans [MWAYA] spoofs 50 Shades of Grey with 50 Shades of Black [50SOB]. Open Road previously released A Haunted House, which debuted with $18.1 million in 2013, though its sequel managed just $8.8 million a year later. 50 Shades of Black arrives less than a year after 50 Shades of Grey, so the R-rated comedy is still timely and fresh. 50 Shades of Black could tie up $12 million from 2075 locations.
After a blizzard shut many East Coast theaters last weekend, The Revenant [REVEN] should hold well for a fourth wide weekend total around $10 million.
Disney releases a rare, PG-13 rated drama with The Finest Hours [FINHR]. Chris Pine [CPINE] leads the cast of the disaster film based on a real-life Coast Guard rescue in 1952. The Finest Hours comes just one month after another seafaring survival tale, In the Heart of the Sea, which opened with $11 million. The Finest Hours also has to contend with all the Oscar-nominated films vying for the attention of adult moviegoers. Launching in 3143 theaters, The Finest Hours may return $9 million.
Natalie Portman [NPORT] toplines the western Jane Got a Gun [JGGUN]. The long-delayed film has been barely marketed by The Weinstein Co.. There’s little buzz in the wake of The Revenant and The Hateful Eight. Playing in 1210 theaters, Jane Got a Gun could hit $3 million.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): PAND3, JBLAC, BCRAN, KHUDS, MWAYA, 50SOB, REVEN, FINHR, CPINE, NPORT, JGGUN