As the 2016 Rio Olympic Games continue, three new films vie for attention in the aftermath of Suicide Squad’s [SUICD] record-breaking debut. Buzz has quickly soured with the word of mouth nearly as bad as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which tumbled 69% in its second weekend. Other superheroes films in 2016 have also suffered huge drop-offs, X-Men: Apocalypse decayed 65.3%, Captain America: Civil War fell 59.5% and even Deadpool lost $57.4%. Suicide Squad is likely to dive more than 65% to around $46 million.
Despite the failure of The BFG, Disney is back with another kid-and-a-monster flick in Pete’s Dragon [PDRGN]. As a modern remake of a 1977 Disney film, Pete’s Dragon should connect with nostalgic parents better than the dark and dreary, not to mention period British, The BFG. Appearing in 3702 theaters, Pete’s Dragon could swoop away with $28 million
Sony counters with the R-rated animated film Sausage Party [SAUSG], that’s definitely not suitable for children. Seth Rogen [SROGE] has rounded up his raunchy comedy gang to voice various talking food. Buzz has been building since its premiere at SXSW. Advance ticket sales are pacing ahead of Neighbors 2 ($21.8 million) as well as 2013’s This Is The End ($33 million Wednesday to Sunday). Filling 3103 theaters, Sausage Party could cook up $27 million.
Meryl Streep [MSTRE] toplines the biopic Florence Foster Jenkins [FLORN]. Paramount targets the same demographic that opened Ricki and the Flash to $6.6 million last year. Tuning up in 1528 theaters, Florence Foster Jenkins could hit $6.5 million.
Bleecker Street takes aim at older male moviegoers with the World War II thriller Anthropoid [ANTHR], which could tally $1 million from 452 locations.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): SUICD, PDRGN, SAUSG, SROGE, MSTRE, FLORN, ANTHR