After the superheroes overload of Captain America: Civil War, Marvel downsizes to an origin story of Doctor Strange [DRSTR] and introduces magic into its Cinematic Universe. Benedict Cumberbatch [BCUMB] stars as a surgeon who turns to mysticism and becomes a sorcerer. Disney marketing promises a visual treat not unlike Inception. The PG-13 rated film has already opened internationally and the positive reception has only increased the buzz. Advance ticket sales are ahead of the Marvel’s last origin story, 2015’s Ant-man ($57.2 million) as well as 2011’s Thor ($65.7 million). Though there’s no mention of Thor: The Dark World, which banked $85.7 million three years ago. Doctor Strange does have the benefit of playing in more higher-priced 3D and large-format theaters. Doctor Strange looks to cast $78 million from 3882 locations.
The hairy toyline Trolls [TROLL] gets its own feature from DreamWorks Animation. Justin Timberlake [JTIMB] and Anna Kendricks [AKEND] lead the voice cast on the PG-rated musical, which will appeal to families with children too young for Doctor Strange. Advance ticket sale patterns are similar to last year’s The Peanuts Movie ($44.2 million) and this year's The Angry Birds Movie ($38.2 million). Combing 4060 theaters, Trolls could raise $40 million.
After spending a decade in director jail, Mel Gibson [MGIBS] is back with Hacksaw Ridge [HSRDG] from Lionsgate. Andrew Garfield [AGARF] stars as a real-life soldier and conscientious objector during World War II. The R-rated film has earned rave reviews since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, which should help attract its target audience of older adults. Hacksaw Ridge may tally $15 million from 2880 theaters.
Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween [BOAMH] held better than expected over its second weekend. But now that Halloween is over, Boo! A Madea Halloween looks to settle down with $9 million.
Franchise fatigue extinguished Inferno [NFERN], which is likely to burn off more than 50% of its opening for a sophomore frame of $7 million.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): DRSTR, BCUMB, TROLL, JTIMB, AKEND, MGIBS, HSRDG, AGARF, BOAMH, NFERN