Here is the predicted Top 10:
#1: In the Heart of the Sea ($24 million)
#2: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part II ($12 million, -37%)
#3: The Good Dinosaur ($10.5 million, -31%)
#4: Creed ($10 million, -34%)
#5: Krampus ($9.5 million, -42%)
#6: Spectre ($4 million, -27%)
The Night Before ($4 million, -20%)
#8: The Peanuts Movie ($2.5 million, -31%)
#9: Spotlight ($2 million, -29%)
#10: Brooklyn ($1.7 million, -29%)
In the Heart of the Sea was originally scheduled for March, before being pushed back to December by Warner Bros., to possibly compete in awards season. Unfortunately, reviews, while solid, are not on the level to be considered for Oscars (66% on Rotten Tomatoes). It also is unfortunate that it has to face off against Star Wars next weekend. But marketing's been good, and overall awareness for the Ron Howard pic is still pretty decent. With 3D and IMAX factoring in also, it should be able to propel its gross into the same arena as Exodus: Gods and Kings from last year ($24 million).
As for holdovers, look for many to recover after dropping hardly after Thanksgiving. Mockingjay - Part II should pull in decent numbers even though it will fall from #1, while Thanksgiving holdovers Creed and The Good Dinosaur should also find themselves holding well. Krampus will benefit from solid word-of-mouth and its holiday theme, while Spectre and The Peanuts Movie should hold better this weekend before Star Wars and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip steals a lot of their screens next weekend.
The strongest holds of the bunch will likely go to The Night Before (thanks to the holiday theme) and Spotlight and Brooklyn (due to potential Golden Globe nominations on Thursday).
