The topsy-turvy post-pandemic summer movie season comes to an end this holiday weekend with the Marvel tentpole Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings [SHCHI]. After releasing all its Disney films thus far in 2021 on Disney Plus, the studio is giving Shang-Chi a traditional theatrical window. Simu Liu stars in the origin story of the Marvel superhero opposite Tony Leung as his villainous father. Shang-Chi represents for Asian-Americans what Black Panther did for African-Americans. The buzz and critical reviews on the PG-13 rated film have been extremely positive. Even with parts of the country dealing with COVID restriction as well as the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, Shang-Chi will no doubt break the 4-day Labor Day opening weekend record of $30.6 million set by 2017’s Halloween. Striking 4300 theaters, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings could pull in $56 million over the long weekend.
Horror remake/sequels are typically front-loaded, and Candyman [CNDYM] is unlikely to be an exception. Last weekend’s top film could gross $13 million during the 4-day weekend.
Free Guy [FREEG] continues its strong hold at the box office as it looks to cross $90 million during its fourth weekend with another $11 million through Monday.
PAW Patrol: The Movie [PAWPT] proved to be front-loaded for a family film. The animated feature could bring home $4.5 million in its third outing over the holiday weekend.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): SHCHI, CNDYM, FREEG, PAWPT