The summer movie season comes to an end as three new films open over the long Labor Day weekend. The sci-fi horror Apollo 18 [APO18] appears to have to best chance to break out. The Weinstein Co. film is the latest entry in the “lost footage” sub-genre of horror popularized by Paranormal Activity and purports to show what happened to the astronauts of a secret last mission to the moon. With a cast of unknowns, the film will have to draw on its premise alone. The PG-13 rating should bring out the teen target audience. Launching in 3328 theaters, Apollo 18 could land around $16 million over the four-day holiday weekend.
If Apollo 18 should falter, The Help [THELP] could hang on to the top spot for a third weekend. The drama recently crossed the $100 million mark and could add another $15 million over the long weekend.
Relativity unleashes its own PG-13 rated horror film with the self-explanatory titled Shark Night 3D [SHK3D]. Last year, Piranha 3D featuring R-rated gore and nudity took in $10.1 million. Shark Night 3D is opening against a glut of 3D horror competitors this year which have all under-performed. Released in 2806 theaters, Shark Night 3D may draw in $11 million through Monday.
Focus targets older adult moviegoers with the spy thriller The Debt [TDEBT] starring Sam Worthington [SWORT] and Helen Mirren [HMIRR]. The R-rated film has earned respectable reviews and opening on Wednesday, where it grossed $0.97 million, should spread the word of mouth. George Clooney’s The American also opened on the Wednesday before Labor Day last year grossing $1.7 million on its way to $16.7 million from Friday to Monday. With less starpower and only 1786 locations, The Debt could settle with $7 million over the four-day weekend.
After hurricane Irene took away some of its opening weekend business, the actioner Colombiana [CLMBA] looks to make up $7 million over the holiday weekend.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): APO18, THELP, SHK3D, TDEBT, SWORT, HMIRR, CLMBA