Box office records are poised to fall this Memorial Weekend with the arrival two heavyweight sequels targeted at different demographics. Bradley Cooper [BCOOP] leads the return of the wolfpack in The Hangover Part II [HNOV2] which brings their R-rated comedic adventure to Bangkok. The original The Hangover was a word of mouth sensation loved by audiences, banking the third highest total of all times for an R-rated film at $277 million. Thus, the sequel is highly anticipated by fans, and the strong buzz has been confirmed by tracking surveys that are through the roof, so to speak. Critics complained the sequel is a complete rehash of the first film, but that’s exactly what fans are looking for. Opening in 3615 theaters, The Hangover Part II looks to partake $94 million over the 4-day holiday weekend and $124 million for the first 5 days.
DreamWorks Animation counters with the PG-rated Kung Fu Panda 2 [PAND2] featuring the voices of Jack Black [JBLAC] and Angelina Jolie [AJOLI]. The first Kung Fu Panda opened to $60.2 million in 2008. The animated sequel will have the families with children audience locked up. Breaking into 3925 theaters, Kung Fu Panda 2 may punch out $84 million over the 4-day holiday weekend with an additional $10 million from Thursday.
Facing competition from the two sequels, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides [PIRT4], a sequel itself, could drop 50% over the Fri-Sun portion of the weekend. With the holiday on Monday, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides may plunder $51 million over the 4-day weekend.
With terrific word of mouth Bridesmaids [BRDSM] barely trailed off last weekend. The raunchy comedy faces direct competition from The Hangover Part II, but Bridesmaids should still manage to grab about $18 million over the long weekend. The mighty superhero Thor [THOR] looks to hammer away another $11 million over the holiday weekend.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): BCOOP, HNOV2, PAND2, JBLAC, AJOLI, PIRT4, BRDSM, THOR