After conquering the Presidents Day holiday weekend, Black Panther [BPNTH] is poised for a long reign at the box office. Black Panther’s Tuesday and Wednesday numbers are ahead of The Avengers, which dropped 50% in its second weekend after opening with $207.4 million. With overwhelmingly positive word of mouth, Black Panther should at least hold as well and cross $102 million.
Jason Bateman [JBATE] and Rachel McAdams [RMCAD] couple up for the R-rated comedy Game Night [GAMEN]. Warner Bros. has well positioned the film in a marketplace lacking competition. The ads are funny and cute enough to attract adults looking for a laugh. Playing in 3488 theaters, Game Night could score $18 million.
Natalie Portman [NPORT] toplines the sci-fi horror Annihilation [ANHLT]. The R-rated film may attract fans of director Alex Garland’s previous Ex Machina, but is unlikely to crossover to a broader mainstream audience. The non-commercial nature of the film is evident when Paramount sold off most foreign rights to Netflix and booked just 2012 theaters. Annihilation may devour $11 million.
Peter Rabbit [PRABT] should be able to clear $10 million during its third outing, while 50 Shades Freed [50SH3] fades to $7 million.
Every Day [EVRYD] is the first release from MGM’s relaunch of Orion Pictures. Angourie Rice [ARICE] plays a teen who falls in love with a soul that inhabits a different body each day. The PG-13 rated romance will appeal to only one demographic, women under 18. Arriving in 1625 theaters, Every Day could net $3 million.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): BPNTH, JBATE, RMCAD, GAMEN, NPORT, ANHLT, PRABT, 50SH3, EVRYD, ARICE