The theatrical business is picking up as Hollywood opens four new wide releases this weekend along with a moderate release from Netflix. Liongate looks to lead the way with the R-rated horrror Spiral: From the Book of Saw [SAW9]. Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson star in a spinoff of the Saw series, whose last installment Jigsaw opened in October 2017 with $16.6 million. Spiral could spin $15 million from 2811 locations.
Angelina Jolie toplines the R-rated thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead [TWWMD], which will debut simultaneously on HBO Max. Warner Bros. opened The Little Things day-n-date in February to $4.8 million. Although Those Who Wish Me Dead will have more theaters at approximately 2900, it has less buzz and more competition. Those Who Wish Me Dead could top out at $4.5 million.
Last week’s top film Wrath of Man [VGLNC] is likely to drop 55% in its second weekend to $3.7 million.
Focus Features debuts the R-rated thriller Profile [PROFL] about a journalist working undercover to expose a terrorist recruiter for ISIS. Profile is the first film directed by Timur Bekmambetov using his Screenlife technology seen in previous films he has produced. Searching starring John Cho opened to $6 million in September 2018. Without an unknown cast, Profile may bring in $2.0 million from 2033 theaters.
Roadside Attractions counters all the R-rated fare with the PG-rated romantic comedy Finding You [FINDU]. Booked in 1314 theaters, Finding You may uncover $1.5 million.
In a last minute deal with exhibitors, Netflix is releasing Army of the Dead [ARMYD] exclusively in about 600 theaters for one week. The R-rated zombie actioner should bring out Zack Snyder fans as evident by early ticket sales. However, it remains to be determined whether Netflix will report its box office gross.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): SAW9, TWWMD, VGLNC, PROFL, FINDU, ARMYD