Overall business should continue to lag behind last year which had The Boss Baby pull off the upset over Beauty and the Beast. Here is the projected Top 10.
#1: Ready Player One ($39 million, $49 million since Thursday)
Steven Spielberg's latest earned very good reviews from critics at its SXSW Festival premiere (currently at 81% on Rotten Tomatoes), but the overall buzz has left something to be desired. The main concern for distributor Warner Bros. here is that the movie could prove to be too quirky for mainstream audiences. Also, being the third PG-13 action flick in just three weeks could also prove to be detrimental to business. On a $175 million budget, this is definitely a high-price gamble. I think it could approach $50 million in its first four days, but its going to need more than that to be a success.
#2: Pacific Rim: Uprising ($13.5 million, -52%)
The action sequel opened ahead of expectations last weekend, but the added competition from Spielberg's latest guarantees a drop above 50%. Perhaps my forecast is a bit optimistic here.
#3: Acrimony ($11.5 million)
Tyler Perry's latest could break out, but buzz and awareness seems pretty weak at this point. Of course, films aimed at the African-American sector can either overperform or underwhelm. At this point, I'm shooting for the middle here. The psychological thriller likely won't have its reviews until after its' released, which makes predictions especially tricky here.
#4: Black Panther ($10.5 million, -37%)
The record-shattering Marvel blockbuster should remain a force of nature in its seventh weekend. One may wonder if it will remain in the Top 10 by the time Avengers: Infinity War comes to town in four weeks.
#5: I Can Only Imagine ($9 million, -35%)
The Christian drama should have another strong hold in its third weekend, especially with this being Easter weekend.
#6: Sherlock Gnomes ($6.5 million, -39%)
The animated sequel should benefit from a lack of competition for its family audience, especially with Spring Break around the corner as well.
#7: God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness ($6 million)
PureFlix's threequel has been getting decent marketing and awareness, but is not getting served any favors thanks to the one-two punch of I Can Only Imagine and Paul opening the last two weeks. I definitely think this could be a lowballed forecast, however, as overall buzz is on the stronger side for a faith-based flick.
#8: Tomb Raider ($5 million, -52%)
Added competition from Ready Player One won't help things for Alicia Vikander either.
#9: Love, Simon ($4.5 million, -43%)
The teen dramedy should continue to play solidly thanks to strong word-of-mouth.
#10: A Wrinkle in Time ($4 million, -50%)
Mixed word-of-mouth continues to signal a fast fade for the Disney sci-fi flick.
