Last weekend,Sullyproved that even September movies can put up big numbers at the box office, with an impressiveopening weekendof $35 million, earning back more than half of its $60 million budget. This weekend it will go up against three newcomers, Lionsgate’s secretive horror sequelBlair Witch, Universal’s romantic comedy sequelBridget Jones’s Babyand Open Road Films’Snowden. We’re predicting that horror wins out, with the R-ratedBlair Witchlanding on top with an estimated $22.3 million.
Sullyhas certainly been a hit with fans and critics (84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), and it is expected to still have the widest release of any movie in theaters this weekend. It debuted in 3,525 theaters last weekend, and while we don’t know the specific theater count for this weekend, it will certainly be much more than all three newcomers, according toBox Office Mojo.Bridget Jones' Baby, starringRenee Zellweger, will debut in over 2,950 theaters, whileBlair Witchis expected to arrive in 2,850 theaters andSnowdenwill debut in 2,400 theaters. PureFlix is also debuting the documentaryHillsong - Let Hope Risein 815 theaters.
BothBlair Witch, which was previously known asThe Woodsbefore it was unveiled as a secret sequel to the 1999 classicThe Blair Witch Project, andBridget Jones’s Babyare hits with the critics already, withBlair Witchamassing a 61% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, whileBridget Jones’s Babyhas an astounding 88% rating.Snowden, however, received a much more mixed reception, with just a 43% rating. These numbers can certainly change between now and Friday, but it remains to be seen how the critical response will affect the box office performance. We’re predicting thatSullywill drop to second place with $17.4 million, followed byBridget Jones' Babywith $12.6 million,Snowdenwith $10.2 million andWhen the Bough Breaksrounding out the top 5 with $7.2 million.
Blair Witchfollows a group of college students who venture into the Black Hills Forest in Maryland to uncover the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of James' sister who many believe is connected to the legend of the Blair Witch. At first the group is hopeful, especially when a pair of locals offer to act as guides through the dark and winding woods, but as the endless night wears on, the group is visited by amenacing presence. Slowly, they begin to realize the legend is all too real and more sinister than they could have imagined. DirectorAdam Wingardand writerSimon Barrettreunite for this thriller, after working on critically-acclaimed thrillers such asThe GuestandYou’re Next.
Oscar winnersRenée ZellwegerandColin Firthare joined byPatrick Dempseyfor the next chapter of the world’s favorite singleton inBridget Jones’s Baby. Directed bySharon Maguire(Bridget Jones’s Diary), the new film in the beloved comedy series based on creatorHelen Fielding’s heroine finds Bridget unexpectedly expecting. After breaking up with Mark Darcy (Firth), Bridget Jones’s (Zellweger) “happily ever after” hasn’t quite gone according to plan. Fortysomething and single again, she decides to focus on her job as top news producer and surround herself with old friends and new. For once, Bridget has everything completely under control. What could possibly go wrong? Then her love life takes a turn and Bridget meets a dashing American named Jack (Dempsey), the suitor who is everything Mr. Darcy is not. In an unlikely twist she finds herself pregnant, but with one hitch…she can only be fifty percent sure of the identity of her baby’s father.
Academy Award-winning directorOliver Stone, who broughtPlatoon,Born on the Fourth of July,Wall StreetandJFKto the big screen, tackles the most important and fascinating true story of the 21st century.Snowden, the politically-charged, pulse-pounding thriller starringJoseph Gordon-LevittandShailene Woodley, reveals the incredible untold personal story of Edward Snowden, the polarizing figure who exposed shocking illegal surveillance activities by the NSA and became one of the most wanted men in the world. He is considered a hero by some, and a traitor by others. No matter which you believe, the epic story of why he did it, who he left behind, and how he pulled it off makes for one of the most compelling films of the year.
The top 10 will likely be rounded out byDon’t Breathe($4.6 million),Suicide Squad($3.2 million),The Wild Life($1.8 million),Kubo and the Two Strings($1.5 million) andPete’s Dragon($1.3 million). Also opening in limited release next weekend is Abramorama’s documentaryThe Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years, China Lion’s thrillerCock and Bull, Independent’s thrillerThe Good Neighbor, The Orchard’s comedyMiss Stevens, FilmRise’s documentarySilicon Cowboysand The Weinstein Company’s comedy adventureWild Oats. We don’t know if there are plans for these limited release titles to expand in the weeks and months to come.
Looking ahead to next week, two new movies arrive in wide release, Sony Pictures' Western remakeThe Magnificent Sevenand Warner Bros.‘Storks. Also opening in limited release is Strand’sCloset Monster, Broad Green Pictures’The Dressmaker, Magnolia’sThe Lovers and the Despot, Under the Milky Way’sMade in France, Indican’sNew World Orderand Disney’sQueen of Katwe, which will expand into a wide release on September 30. Check back on Sunday for the box office estimates, and again next Tuesday for the latest round of predictions. In the meantime, take a look at our predictions for the weekend of September 16.
