Valentine’s Day and the Presidents Day holiday weekend bring four new wide releases. The live-action/animated hybrid film Sonic the Hedgehog [SONIC] leads the way in what will soon be the comeback story of recent memory. The first trailer from Paramount last April was so disastrous that the release date was pushed back 4 months so that Sonic could be redrawn. Fans who grew up playing the videogames, reading the comics and watching the cartoons breathe a sigh of relief when the new trailer came out in November. Sonic looked more like his old self as the alien goes up against Dr. Robotnik, played by Jim Carrey in his old mugging ways. Reviews are even trending positive. The PG-rated film will have the family audience all to itself. Running through 4165 theaters, Sonic the Hedgehog could collect $45 million over the 4-day weekend.
Warner Bros. acknowledged its poor marketing of Birds of Prey [GOTCS] by having exhibitors retitle it as Harley Quinn. That’s unlikely to boost the R-rated film beyond $20 million over the long weekend.
Blumhouse has adapted the old TV series Fantasy Island [FANIS] into a PG-13 rated horror film. Michael Pena stars in the role of Mr. Roarke, though Lucy Hale will likely attract more moviegoers from the target demographic that probably has never seen an episode from the 1970-80s. Those who have will likely wait for reviews that’s been embargoed. Booked in 2784 theaters, Fantasy Island could bring in $17.5 million through Monday.
The Photograph [PHOTO] looks to take advantage of being the only romance opening on Valentine’s Day. Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield pair up in the PG-13 rated film from Universal. With excellent reviews, The Photograph could develop $13 million from 2516 locations.
Downhill [DWNHL] hopes to be anti-Valentine’s Day choice for older couples. The R-rated black comedy finds Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus playing husband and wife going through martial issues. Originally a limited release, Searchlight decided to send Downhill out wide in 2301 theaters, perhaps in anticipation of bad reviews and word of mouth. Downhill could carve up $5 million over the 4-day weekend.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): SONIC, GOTCS, FANIS, PHOTO, DWNHL