Behaving much like recent high-profile sequels Spectre and Mockingjay Part 2, RIDE ALONG 2 (Universal) appears to be heading for an opening weekend around 20% below its predecessor.  According to preliminary numbers at Deadline, Ride 2 had a $11.8M Friday, compared to $14.4M for the original Ride Along.  That suggests a 4-day holiday weekend […]

Weekend #3 of 2016 is looking like a pretty normal $143 million for the top 12 films this weekend (see comparisons below). Ride Along 2 from Universal should open with $35.0 million Friday-Sunday and about $43 million Friday-Monday. The film is on track for around $105 million domestic in its run. Overseas the film could bring in $25 million, giving it a […]

  OPENINGS:  THE REVENANT (Regency/20th) had an impressive $38M start, the #5 January wide opening ever (although tomorrow’s final numbers could send it below Lone Survivor‘s $37.8M, the comp it wanted to beat).  Survivor made it to $125.1M, and Revenant could do the same, especially fueled by what now seems like a can’t-miss campaign for […]

WORLDWIDE STUDIO SCORECARD.  We will continue tracking 2015 for several more weeks as the holiday films finish their runs.  We will begin tracking 2016 in a few weeks.   YEAR TO DATE BOX OFFICE. Looking at North American box office, after one week 2016 to date begins +31% above last year and +13% above the average for […]

  THE REVENANT (Regency/20th) is showing impressive strength in its first day of wide release, after 2 strong weeks at NY/LA arthouses.  Preliminary numbers at Deadline give it $14M+ on Friday, putting it surprisingly into 1st place and confirming that Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the few “movie stars” these days who actually sells tickets.  […]

Weekend #2 of 2016 is looking like a very good $155 million for the top 12 films this weekend (see comparisons below). The Revenant from Fox should open with $27.5 million Friday-Sunday. The film is on track for around $85 million domestic in its run. Overseas the film could bring in $160 million, giving it a worldwide box office target of $245 million.     The […]

  STAR WARS:  Whether one considers Avatar‘s proper US all-time box office record to be $749.8M (initial release) or $760.5M (includes “director’s cut” re-release), the crown will be changing hands in the next few days.  STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (Lucasfilm/Disney), which declined 41% on its 3rd weekend to $88.3M (setting yet another record by […]

WORLDWIDE STUDIO SCORECARD.     YEAR TO DATE BOX OFFICE. Looking at North American box office, 2015 to date is now +8% above last year and now +6% above the average for this point the past four years ($9.931 billion).  Over the same period, Hollywood films have grossed almost $26.8 billion worldwide when we add overseas box office (that’s […]