Paramount has trailed the other Hollywood studios at the 2016 box office, but hopes to reverse its fortunes with Star Trek Beyond [TREK3], the third film in the rebooted timeline of the 50-year-old Sci-Fi series. Although 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness opened to $70.2 million, the sequel was lambasted by most trek fans. Justin Lin [JLIN] took over as director and steered Star Trek back to its original mission of exploring deep space. Beyond has earned positive reviews, but audience are likely to be cautious after Into Darkness. Anton Yelchin’s untimely death and Sulu’s reveal as gay have kept the PG-13 rated film in the buzz of conversation. Warping into 3928 theaters, Star Trek Beyond could beam home $56 million.
Fox hopes families continue to flock to animated films with Ice Age: Collision Course [ICEA5], the fifth in their PG-rated series. However, it’s been 4 years since the previous installment Continental Drift opened to $46.6 million and closed with a franchise-low total of $161 million. Sending Scrat to space on an UFO is unlikely to bring back a portion of its audience. Ice Age: Collision Course may hit $36 million from 3992 locations.
Even with the added competition, The Secret Life of Pets [PETS] should hold strong with about $28 million for its third weekend.
After a solid debut and a Cinemascore of B+, Ghostbusters [GHST3] should enjoy good word of mouth. Ghostbusters is likely to lose 50% from its debut to $23 million.
New Line follows up The Conjuring 2 with the James Wan-produced Lights Out [LITSO]. Teresa Palmer [TPALM] stars in the PG-13 rated horror based on a hit viral video. Lights Out has an easy-to-sell premise and its trailers are genuinely creepy. Reviews are also glowing, which is rare for a horror film. Showing in 2818 theaters, Lights Out could illuminate $18 million.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): TREK3, JLIN, ICEA5, PETS, GHST3, LITSO, TPALM