The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend brings two franchise revivals, but only one appears to be a hit. Bad Boys for Life [BADB3] reunites Will Smith and Martin Lawrence more than 16 years after Bad Boys 2 opened to $46.5 million July 2003. Not directed by Michael Bay, the R-rated sequel has scored the best reviews of the trilogy. After failing to relaunch MIB and Charlie’s Angels, Sony should easily recoup its $90 million production cost on Bad Boys for Life. Rolling into 3775 theaters, Bad Boys For Life could come away with $45 million over the 4-day long weekend.
After scoring 10 Oscar nominations, 1917 [1917] will hold strong in its second weekend of wide release. 1917 should net another $30 million through Monday.
Universal reboots Dolittle [DOCDO] about a doctor who can talk to animals as a period film. Robert Downey Jr. stars in a non-Marvel role for the first time in 5 years. Unfortunately, Dolittle suffered from delays and a troubled production that cost at least $175 million. The PG-rated film may appeal to some families, but most moviegoers sense a bomb from the unfunny trailer. Dolittle could deliver $23 million from 4155 locations.
In its second weekend of wide release, Just Mercy [JMRCY] could locked up $7 million and overtake fellow sophomore film Like A Boss [LMTDP] with about $6.5 million over the 4-day weekend.
GKids opens the animated Weathering With You [WWYOU] in 450 theaters after banking $1.6 million Wednesday during a special Fathom Event. Director Makoto Shinkai’s previous film Your Name opened April 2017 to $1.8 million in just 311 theaters. With an English dub this time, Weathering With You could clear $2.5 million over the holiday weekend.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): BADB3, 1917, DOCDO, JMRCY, LMTDP, WWYOU