The past two weekends have been good for 20th Century Fox’sThe Martianat thebox office, but they have been simply horrid for any newcomer that dares challenge it. Last weekend,The Martianwon with just $11.4 million, as high-profile new releases such asBurntandOur Brand Is Crisispulled in dismal numbers, and another new release,Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, failed to even crack the top 10. This weekend only brings two new movies to theaters in wide release,SpectreandThe Peanuts Movie, both of which are expected to bring new life to the sagging box office this weekend.
According to the projections fromBoxOffice.com,Spectreis expected to take in a whopping $90 million, withThe Peanuts Movieprojected to take a distant second place with a respectable $47 million opening weekend tally. IfSpectrehits or exceeds its projection, its opening weekend will be higher that the entire top 10 grosses last weekend combined, which was the fourth worst box office performance of the year thus far.Spectreis expected to open in 3,800 theaters nationwide, withThe Peanuts Movieopening in 3,600 theaters.Spectrehas earned a 65% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes thus far, andThe Peanuts Movieis currently scoring a 71% rating.
Spectre’s projection shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, since the James Bond thriller dominated at theinternational box officelast weekend, taking in $80.4 million in just six international territories.Spectrecenters on a cryptic message from the past sends James Bond (Daniel Craig) on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), the beautiful and forbidden widow of an infamous criminal. Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organisation known asSpectre. Meanwhile back in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott), the new head of the Centre for National Security, questions Bond’s actions and challenges the relevance of MI6, led by M (Ralph Fiennes). Bond covertly enlists Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw) to help him seek out Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), the daughter of his old nemesis Mr White (Jesper Christensen), who may hold the clue to untangling the web ofSpectre. As the daughter of an assassin, she understands Bond in a way most others cannot. As Bond ventures towards the heart ofSpectre, he learns of a chilling connection between himself and the enemy he seeks, played byChristoph Waltz.
The Peanuts Moviecomes on the heels of the beloved comic strip’s 65th Anniversary, introducing these beloved characters to a whole new generation.Charlie Brown,Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. Snoopy, the world’s most lovable beagle - and flying ace - embarks upon his greatest mission as he takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis The Red Baron, while his best pal, Charlie Brown, begins his own epic quest. From the imagination ofCharles M. Schulzand the creators of theIce Agefilms,The Peanuts Moviewill prove that every underdog has his day.
The Martian will drop to third place with $7.8 million, and the receipts from the rest of the week at the box office may bring this sci-fi thriller over the $200 million domestic box office milestone.Goosebumpsis expected to drop to fourth place with $6.6 million, whileBridge of Spieswill take fifth place with $4.1 million. Rounding out the top 10 will beHotel Transylvania 2($3.9 million),Burnt($2.3 million),The Last Witch Hunter($2.1 million),Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension($1.8 million) andOur Brand Is Crisis$1.5 million. Over the past two weekends, nine movies have opened in wide release, and after the dreadful results, studios may think twice about overcrowding certain weekends. Looking ahead to the rest of the year, only Christmas Day will be as crowded, with four new movies opening in wide release,Concussion,Joy,Daddy’s HomeandPoint Break, with highly-anticipated awards contendersThe RevenantandThe Hateful Eightopening in limited release. Only time will tell if Christmas will become a box office disaster like the past two weekends.
Also opening in limited release this weekend are Fox Searchlight’sBrooklyn, starringSaoirse RonanandDomhnall Gleeson, Magnolia’sEntertainmentstarringMichael CeraandJohn C. Reilly, Roadside Attractions’Miss You AlreadystarringToni ColletteandDrew Barrymore, Open Road Film’sSpotlightstarringRachel McAdamsandMark Ruffaloand Bleecker Street’sTrumbostarringBryan Cranston,Helen MirrenandJohn Goodman. BothSpotlightandTrumbohave been getting a lot of Oscar buzz as of late, although it isn’t known if their respective studios are planning nationwide expansions anytime soon.Spotlight,TrumboandBrooklynare all slated to open in five theaters, but no specific theater counts were given for the rest of the field.
Looking ahead to next weekend, three new films open in wide release, Warner Bros.‘The 33starringAntonio Banderas, CBS Films’Love the CoopersstarringOlivia Wilde,Amanda SeyfriedandDiane Keaton, and Clarius Entertainment’s My All American, starringRobin Tunney,Sarah BolgerandAaron Eckhart. Opening in limited release is Universal’sBy the Sea, starringBrad Pittand directorAngelina Jolie, Lionsgate’sHeiststarringRobert De NiroandDave Bautistaand The Film Arcade’s James White starringRon Livingston. Be sure to check back on Sunday for the box office estimates, and again next Tuesday for next week’s projections. Until then, here are our predictions for the top 10 this weekend.
