The Thanksgiving holiday offers a feast of movie-going options, but Disney will once again rule the weekend with Ralph Breaks the Internet [RALP2]. The PG-rated sequel is the first from Walt Disney Animation Studios, which now rivals Pixar in producing quality films. Wreck-It Ralph debuted in 2012 with $49 million and proved to be an audience favorite by legging out $189.4 million. Advance ticket sales are outpacing Coco and Moana, which opened over the last two Thanksgiving to $72.9 million and $82.1 million respectively. The $3.8 million in Tuesday previews are also well ahead of Coco and Moana. Playing in 4017 theaters, Ralph Break the Internet could score $84 million over the five-day weekend.
Michael B. Jordan [MBJOR] returns in Creed II [CREE2] to fight the son of the man who killed his father in Rocky IV. The story will connect with fans, new and old. Jordan is also hot coming of his performance in Black Panther. Three years ago, Creed opened to $42 million over Thanksgiving weekend. After taking in $3.7 million in previews, Creed II should gross $52 million from 3441 locations.
After an underwhelming debut, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald [FBST2] will decay faster than the first film. The sequel looks to drop 50% over the 3-day weekend for a five-day total around $44 million.
Lionsgate has produced another Robin Hood [RBNHO] that no one asked for, and which they have delayed due to low buzz. Aiming at 2827 theaters, Robin Hood may hit $13.5 million through Sunday.
Universal expands Green Book [GRNBK] wide to 1063 theaters after a successful week of limited engagement. The PG-13 rated racial drama starring Mahershala Ali [MALI] and Viggo Mortensen [VMORT] has earned rave reviews and Oscar buzz. Green Book could earn $8 million over the Thanksgiving holiday.
After sputtering in two weeks of limited release, The Front Runner [TFRUN] expands wide to 807 theaters. The political biopic may be lucky to tally $3 million through Sunday.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): RALP2, MBJOR, CREE2, FBST2, RBNHO, GRNBK, MALI, VMORT, TFRUN