This year's post-MLK weekend looks pretty quiet, and will likely be way down from last year, which had the strong debut of Split. Here is the predicted Top 10:
#1: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle ($17 million, -40%)
The lack of a holiday weekend boosting it will likely cause it to fall a little harder this weekend. But the Dwayne Johnson action flick will easily surpass $300 million stateside this weekend, if not sooner.
#2: 12 Strong ($15 million)
Heavily-marketed and earning decent reviews, 12 Strong is looking like, based on tracking, it will at least pull in mature audiences and war movie fans. Many tracking sites have this a little lower, but I think this could be a strong contender to open a bit better than expected.
#3: The Post ($13 million, -34%)
Older audiences will start to come out in droves for the historical political drama. How it plays after this weekend will likely be determined by the Oscar nominations.
#4: The Greatest Showman ($8.5 million, -32%)
The lack of any real new options for families and mainstream audiences should keep the season's crowd-pleaser chugging along with strong numbers.
#5 (tie): Paddington 2 ($7 million, -36%)
The family sequel should also benefit from similar reasons to #4.
#5 (tie): Star Wars: The Last Jedi ($7 million, -41%)
I'm predicting this to hold stronger than the past few weeks, simply also because there isn't really any new competition for its' older kids/teens audience. Also, those who were looking to check the movie out after crowds die down will likely be more out around this time.
#7: The Commuter ($6.5 million, -53%)
Mixed reviews and audience reception point to a drop above 50% from Liam Neeson's latest.
#8: Insidious: The Last Key ($6 million, -52%)
Last Key will likely continue to drop over 50%, by comparing previous horror movie standards of course.
#9: Den of Thieves ($5 million)
I don't expect much out of this STX Entertainment release. There's not been much marketing, and the R rating will keep younger audiences away. The only somewhat known actor is Gerard Butler, who hasn't had a hit in years. No reviews yet also is not a promising sign.
#10: Darkest Hour ($4.5 million, -19%)
Awards season buzz will likely help this one continue to have a very slow burn. Probably enough to remain in the list as well.
