While snow blankets the Northeast and rain pelts the Western U.S., Pacific Rim: Uprising [PACR2] leads five new wide releases. Directed by Guillermo Del Toro, the first Pacific Rim debuted July 2013 at $37.3 million and ended its domestic run at $101.8 million. The sci-fi film performed better overseas so Legendary produced a sequel with a new director and new leads played by John Boyega [JBOYE] and Scott Eastwood [SEAST]. While Warner Bros. released the original, Universal distributes the PG-13 rated sequel, which promises more giant robots vs. giant monsters CG action. The film is likely to appeal only to the hardcore fans. Hitting 3708 theaters, Pacific Rim: Uprising may score $25 million.
Black Panther [BPNTH.BW] will finally give up the throne in its sixth weekend, but not before mining another $16 million.
Paramount’s animated Sherlock Gnomes [GNOM2] is the sequel to 2011’s Gnomeo & Juliet, which Disney opened to $25.4 million. Emily Blunt [EBLUN] and James McAvoy [JMCAV] reprise their voice roles, while Johnny Depp [JDEPP] joins the cast as the title character, which may no longer be a selling point. Seven years is also a long gap for a sequel aimed at kids, and Sherlock Gnomes doesn’t have the marketing machine of Disney. Playing in 3662 theaters, Sherlock Gnomes may track down $15 million.
As a male-targeted action film, Tomb Raider [TOMB3] is likely to tumble more than 50% in its second weekend to $11.5 million.
Connecting with MercyMe fans, I Can Only Imagine [ICOIM] outperformed expectations and looks to hold strong. A 40% decline would bring in $10 million.
Paul, Apostle of Christ [PAOCH] could be a victim of I Can Only Imagine’s success as they compete for the same faith-based audience. Sony is opening the PG-13 rated Bible epic in just 1473 theaters. Paul, Apostle of Christ may summon $7.0 million.
Bella Thorne [BTHOR] and Patrick Schwarzenegger couple up for Midnight Sun [MDNTS] from Open Road. The PG-13 rated romance will only interest teen girls. Performing in 2200 theaters, Midnight Sun could earn $4.5 million.
Claire Foy [CFOY] stars in the R-rated horror Unsane [UNSAN], whose sole selling point is that director Steven Soderbergh [SSODE] shot it on an iPhone. Bleecker Street has built little awareness. Unsane may commit $3 million from 2023 locations.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): PACR2, JBOYE, SEAST, GNOM2, EBLUN, JMCAV, JDEPP, TOMB3, ICOIM, PAOCH, BTHOR, MDNTS, CFOY, UNSAN, SSODE
