While we still have a few weeks until thesummer movie season, 2016 is proving that the right movies can put up big numbers early in the year.Deadpoolhas shattered records since its debut in February, whileZootopiaandBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justicehave earned big as well. That tradition continued last weekend withThe Jungle Book, which nabbed $103.2 million in its debut. This weekend, theDisney adventuregoes up against two newcomers, Universal’sThe Huntsman: Winter’s Warand Bleecker Street’sElvis & Nixon, neither of which stand a chance againstDisney’s Jungle Book, according to our estimates from studyingBox Office Mojo.
The Jungle Bookis being projected to drop a healthy 43% in its second frame in theaters, winning for the second week in a row with $59 million.The Huntsman: Winter’s Waris expected to debut in second place with $26.3 million, with the top five rounded out byBarbershop: The Next Cut($11.2 million),Zootopia($5 million) andThe Boss($4.9 million). WhileThe Huntsman: Winter’s Warwill most likely have a huge edge overElvis & Nixonin theater count, the latter has a much bigger edge, among critics.
Elvis & Nixoncurrently has a 67% Fresh rating with the critics at Rotten Tomatoes, withThe Huntsman: Winter’s Warsitting at a paltry 16% rating.The Huntsman: Winter’s Waris scheduled to open in more than 3,700 theaters this weekend, but a theater count estimate was not given forElvis & Nixon, which, despite its critical acclaim, is projected to make $1.3 million in its opening weekend. Of course, it could fare much better, if it continues to get positive reviews and has a solid opening theater count, so we’ll have to wait and see.
The Huntsman: Winter’s Warbrings fans back to the fantastical world ofSnow White and the Huntsmanexpands to reveal how the fates of The Huntsman Eric andQueen Ravennaare deeply and dangerously intertwined.Chris Hemsworthand Oscar winnerCharlize Theronreturn to their roles inThe Huntsman Winter’s War, an epic action-adventure in which they are joined byEmily BluntandJessica Chastain, as well as directorCedric Nicolas-Troyan. ProducerJoe Roth(Maleficent,Alice in Wonderland) once again leads the team in a breathtaking new tale nested in the legendary saga.
Long before the evil Queen Ravenna (Theron) was thought vanquished bySnow White’s blade, she watched silently as her sister, Freya (Blunt), suffered a heartbreaking betrayal and fled their kingdom. With Freya’s ability to freeze any enemy, the young ice queen has spent decades in a remote wintry palace raising a legion of deadly huntsmen-including Eric (Hemsworth) and warrior Sara (Chastain)-only to find that her prized two defied her one demand: Forever harden your hearts to love. When Freya learns of her sister’s demise, she summons her remaining soldiers to bring the Magic Mirror home to the only sorceress left who can harness its power. But once she discovers Ravenna can be resurrected from its golden depths, the wicked sisters threaten this enchanted land with twice the darkest force it’s ever seen.
Now, their amassing army shall prove undefeatable…unless the banished huntsmen who broke their queen’s cardinal rule can fight their way back to one another. When Freya learns of her sister’s demise, she summons her remaining soldiers to bring the Magic Mirror home to the only sorceress left who can harness its power. But once she discovers Ravenna can be resurrected from its golden depths, the wicked sisters threaten this enchanted land with twice the darkest force it’s ever seen. Now, their amassing army shall prove undefeatable…unless the banished huntsmen who broke their queen’s cardinal rule can fight their way back to one another.
Elvis & Nixontells the story about Elvis Presley visiting President Richard M. Nixon at the White House in December of 1970. The meeting was initiated by Presley, who wrote Nixon a six-page letter requesting a visit and suggesting that he be made a ‘Federal Agent-at-Large’ in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Presley brought with him family photos and a Colt 45 pistol as a personal gift to the President.Michael Shannonplays Elvis Presley, withKevin Spaceyplaying Richard Nixon in this new drama based on an incredible true story. The supporting cast is rounded out byAlex Pettyfer,Johnny Knoxville,Colin Hanks,Evan Peters,Sky Ferreira,Tracy Letts,Tate DonovanandAshley Benson.
Rounding out the top 10 will beBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice($4.7 million),Criminal($3.6 million),My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2($2.4 million),Elvis & Nixon($1.3 million) andMiracles from Heaven($1.2 million). Also opening in limited release this weekend is Lionsgate’sCompadres, Independent’sHolidays, Roadside Attractions’A Hologram For the King, Sony Pictures Classics’The Meddler, Drafthouse’sMen & Chicken, and IFC’sTale of Tales. It isn’t known if any of these films will be expanding in the weeks that follow.
Looking ahead to next weekend, three new movies will hit theaters, Warner Bros.‘Keanu, Open Road Films’Mother’s Dayand Focus Features’Ratchet & Clank. Magnolia’sViva, IFC’sThe Man Who Knew Infinity, Yari Film Group’sPapa Hemingway in CubaandThe Family Fangwill open in limited release. This will be the last frame until the summer movie season kicks off on May 6 with Marvel’s highly-anticipatedCaptain America: Civil War, which is projected to earn between $175 million and $200 million. Take a look at our box office projections for the weekend of April 22, and check back Sunday for the estimates.
