With all the big summer blockbuster films out of the way, four moderate wide releases will try to make their mark. Rise of the Planet of the Apes [RSAPE] should be able to hold them off and retain the top spot for a second weekend. Even with positive word of mouth, the sci-fi film is likely to drop more than 50% to $27 million.
New Line’s horror sequel Final Destination 5 [FDES5] looks to fare best amongst the newcomers. The previous installment and the first in 3D, The Final Destination opened to a franchise best $27.4 million in 2009. However, 3D is no longer a novelty as 3D films has saturated the marketplace. The R-rated Final Destination 5 should benefit as the first horror opener since spring, which bring out starving fans of the genre. Arriving in 3155 theaters, Final Destination 5 could deliver about $24 million.
DreamWorks targets older women with the period drama The Help [THELP] based on a bestselling novel. The diverse cast and subject matter should also appeal to African-Americans. The PG-13 rated film opened on Wednesday and banked $5.5 million from fans of the book, which should help build word of mouth. Booked into 2534 theaters, The Help could clean up $18 million over the weekend.
The R-rated comedy 30 Minutes or Less [30MOL] stars Jesse Eisenberg [JEISE] and Aziz Ansari [AANSA] as roommates who are forced to rob a bank by criminals played by Danny McBride [DMCBR] and Nick Swardson [NSWAR]. Sony hopes to attract young males, though the trailers have not been laugh out loud funny. None of the cast are established box office draw either. 30 Minutes or Less could deliver $17 million from 2888 locations.
Fox hopes the legion of ‘gleeks’ will shell out for Glee The 3D Concert Movie [GLELV], a feature version of the concert tour based on the hit TV show. The buzz has been muted compared to the fervor for Justin Bieber, which opened to $29.5 million in February. Breaking into 2040 3D theaters, Glee The 3D Concert Movie could hit $11 million.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): RSAPE, FDES5, THELP, 30MOL, JEISE, AANSA, DMCBR, NSWAR, GLELV