Even after a summer of lackluster sequels, Hollywood drops three more sequels on this fall weekend. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back [RECH2] may win out due to Tom Cruise [TCRUIS], who’s coming off the well-received Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation. Paramount hopes the PG-13 rated action franchises rub off on one another. The first Jack Reacher opened at $15.2 million in December 2012 and legged out $80 million. Showing in 3780 theaters, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back could punch out $21 million.
Lionsgate gets back in the Tyler Perry [TPERR] business with Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween [BOAMH]. His last crossdressing film, A Madea Christmas opened to $16.0 million in December 2013. However, it was the fourth Madea film in 4 years. A 3 years layoff should help bring back some of the fanbase that consistently deliver openings over $25 million. The Halloween theme could also reach new, younger moviegoers. Advance ticket sales for Halloween are ahead of Christmas. The PG-13 rated comedy may gather $19 million from 2260 locations.
The weekend’s third sequel, Ouija: Origin of Evil [OUIJ2] is actually a prequel. Ouija surprised the industry with a $19.9 million opening two years ago. However, Universal has gone with a new cast in a different setting during the 1970s. Advance ticket sales are ahead of its predecessor, though there could be frontloading. Playing in 3167 theaters, Ouija: Origin of Evil could summon $16 million.
With excellent word of mouth, The Accountant [ACTNT] should hold at least 50% of its debut and add another $13 million.
Keeping Up with the Joneses [KUWTJ] may get lost in the shuffle of a crowded weekend. The PG-13 rated action comedy stars Zach Galifianakis [ZGALI] and Isla Fisher [IFISH] as a suburban couple who gets mixed up with their secret agent neighbors played by Jon Hamm [JHAMM] and Gal Gadot [GGDAO]. Keeping Up with the Joneses could bring in $7 million from 3022 theaters.
Pure Flix opens I’m Not Ashamed [IMNAS] in 504 theaters. The controversial film about the Columbine school massacre may settle with $3 million.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): RECH2, TPERR, BOAMH, OUIJ2, ACTNT, KUWTJ, ZGALI, IFISH, JHAMM, IMNAS