A trio of new wide releases will open in the shadow of Venom [VENM1]. Although moviegoers enjoyed the superhero film more than critics, Venom is still likely frontloaded by fanboys. Venom could drop 60% from its record opening to about $32 million.
The crowd-pleasing A Star is Born [ASTAR] will enjoy long legs through award season. A Star is Born should be able to hold 65% of its debut for an encore around $27 million.
The Neil Armstrong biopic First Man [FIRSM] reunites Ryan Gosling [RGOSL] with La La Land filmmaker Damien Chazelle [DCHAZ]. The PG-13 rated space adventure generated rave reviews and Oscar buzz on the fall festival circuit. The Universal release was partial shot on IMAX and could benefit from their higher ticket prices. Blasting off in 3640 theaters, First Man looks to land $26 million.
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween [GBUM2] targets the R.L. Stine fans who drove the first Goosebumps to a $23.6 million debut three years ago. However, the Sony sequel is not led by Jack Black, who jumped ship to the competition, The House with a Clock in Its Walls [THWCW], which opened to $26.6 million just three weekends ago. The PG-rated fantasy sequel could book $17 million from 3521 theaters.
Fox targets men with the R-rated thriller Bad Times at the El Royale [BTAER]. Chris Hemsworth [CHEMS] is the biggest name in the ensemble cast, but his box office draw outside Marvel is usually in the mid-teens. His previous team-up with filmmaker Drew Goddard, Cabin in the Woods debuted at $14.7 million in 2012, while 12 Strong opened to $15.8 million this past January. Showing in 2808 theaters, Bad Times at the El Royale may hit $13 million.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): VENM1, ASTAR, FIRSM, RGOSL, DCHAZ, GBUM2, THWCW, BTAER, CHEMS