After a lull at the box office last weekend for leftover turkeys (both celluloid and avian), business looks to pick up again as movies with award aspirations position themselves for the big end of the year bonanza. Disney returns to traditional 2D cell animation with The Princess and the Frog [FROGP]. The G-rated musical is also noted for being the first Disney film to have an African-American heroine. The fairy tale story should bring out young women and families with young children. The Princess and the Frog has already bagged $3 million from just two theaters in two weeks of limited release. Expanding into 3434 theaters, The Princess and the Frog could leap away with around $28 million.
Director Clint Eastwood [CEAST] reunites with Morgan Freeman [MFREE] for the drama Invictus [INVIC]. The Oscar winners team up with Matt Damon [MDAMO] to tell the story of how Nelson Mandela used to 1995 Rugby World Cup to unite post-Apartheid South Africa. Reviews have been favorable for the awards contender, which will encourage the older movie-going demographics to visit the multiplex. Opening in 2125 locations, Invictus may be able to draw $14 million.
After taking the number one spot last week, The Blind Side [BLDSD] looks to drop back into the pack. The feel-good story about a wealthy white family that takes in a poor black orphan should cash in another $11 million.
Although The Twilight Saga: New Moon [TWLI2] is descending rapidly, the vampire romance should still have enough to finish in the top five with $6 million.
The Jim Sheridan [JSHER] directed drama Brothers [BRTHS] opened better than expected over a slow weekend. With good word of mouth and award buzz for its actors, Brothers could tally another $5 million.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): FROGP, CEAST, MFREE, INVIC, MDAMO, BLDSD, TWLI2, JSHER, BRTHS