The holiday season is up and moving, and business looks to catch up after stumbling a bit behind last year's holiday season. Thanks to a strong list of holdovers, overall business looks to beat this same weekend last year, when Thor: Ragnarok beat Daddy's Home 2 and Murder on the Orient Express to remain in first place.
Here is the predicted Top 10:
#1: The Grinch ($80 million)
Buzz has been rising repeatedly for this upcoming adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic. Yes, its' been adapted for the big screen before (the live-action Jim Carrey movie from 2000). But, Illumination Entertainment has yet to miss, and they scored big-time with a previous Dr. Seuss flick, The Lorax ($70 million opening, $215 million finish) back in 2012. The Grinch is an even more recognizable character, and this is the first new animated option for kids in several weeks. With all these positives, I think this will perform stronger than Lorax and probably have strong legs through December thanks to the Christmas theme.
#2: Bohemian Rhapsody ($30 million, -40%)
Strong word-of-mouth should help keep this musical biopic playing strong in its sophomore frame. I don't expect a phenomenal hold, but a solid hold nonetheless.
#3: The Girl in the Spider's Web ($12 million)
This is a tricky film to predict. It's arriving seven years after its predecessor, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, managed only OK business in theaters. Buzz has been relatively quiet, and besides mature adults (or fans of the book), its' going to be difficult to really bring in an audience here. Look for a modest debut.
#4: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms ($11 million, -45%)
The holiday theme might help it from having a disastrous drop, but competition from The Grinch will keep Disney's disappointment from having a strong hold of any kind.
#5: Overlord ($9 million)
This is going to be the release to keep a close eye on. This R-rated, zombie horror flick has earned a little bit of chatter (especially with J.J. Abrams attached). But, its' not generating significant buzz by any means. Horror fans will probably show up, and might push this above expectations. But, I'm not expecting a breakout as of now. But, I could be wrong.
#6: A Star is Born ($8 million, -27%)
An awards season favorite likely to hold up well once again.
#7: Nobody's Fool ($7 million, -50%)
Tyler Perry's films usually are notorious for being front-loaded. I don't think this movie will change that.
#8: Halloween ($4.7 million, -57%)
With another horror flick in the marketplace, audiences are quickly fleeing from Michael Meyers here. That being said, Universal and Miramax have nothing to worry about with business now.
#9: Venom ($4.5 million, -43%)
Sony should see one more weekend in the list with their antihero flick passing the $200 million milestone.
#10: The Hate U Give ($2.5 million, -27%)
With some awards season buzz, I think this will hold strong enough to earn one more weekend in the list.
