Overall business once again looks to stumble behind last year, which featured Power Rangers opening in a strong second place behind Beauty and the Beast.
Here is the predicted Top 10:
#1: Pacific Rim - Uprising ($24 million)
The first Pacific Rim is one of those movies that wasn't a huge hit, but it did have a strong fanbase (and it's performance overseas warranted a sequel). Uprising has been marketed heavily by distributor Universal, and will also be a bigger player overseas than it will here. It will come down some from its' predecessors' $39 million opening (and reviews will determine whether or not it will soar or fall from here), but it's tracking decently enough to where it should open in the same range as Tomb Raider last weekend.
#2: Black Panther ($18 million, -34%)
As of now, it looks like this might be the first weekend where King T'Challa won't be on the box office throne (unless the kaijus turn out weaker than expected). However, it will still surpass The Avengers over this weekend to become the biggest superhero movie ever in America.
#3: Tomb Raider ($12.5 million, -47%)
Added competition from another PG-13 action flick spells bad news for the Alicia Vikander reboot, which will be holding on tight to overseas numbers to bail it out.
#4: Sherlock Gnomes ($12 million)
Despite a strong marketing effort, this sequel to 2011's Gnomeo and Juliet doesn't look like its generating much excitement among families. A low-teens millions debut should be expected.
#5: I Can Only Imagine ($11 million, -35%)
Strong word-of-mouth should keep the musical biopic playing fairly well, though steep competition will keep it from holding to the caliber of God's Not Dead (which was off just 10% in its second weekend).
#6: A Wrinkle in Time ($9.5 million, -43%)
While Sherlock Gnomes will aim for younger kids, older kids will still have this option to choose from. Ultimately, Wrinkle should hold better also this weekend thanks to Spring Break around the corner.
#7: Paul, Apostle of Christ ($9 million)
I might would have forecasted this higher. But with I Can Only Imagine quadrupling expectations, its' going to be more difficult for the Biblical epic to make much of an impact. Sony's latest in the faith-based field should come fairly close to Risen ($11.8 million opening).
#8: Love, Simon ($7 million, -39%)
Strong word-of-mouth should keep this teenage dramedy pulling in respectable numbers.
#9: Midnight Sun ($4.5 million)
The romance drama isn't looking to really pull in an audience. Date night crowds could push it a little higher, but awareness and buzz have been quiet.
#10: Game Night ($4 million, -29%)
A lack of any true R-rated adult competition will keep this comedy in the Top 10 a little longer.
