Halloween weekend brings the most famous Thriller to the multiplex. As the lone new wide release, Michael Jackson’s This Is It [JACKO] concert documentary should easily finish in first place. The King of Pop was preparing for 50 concert dates in London when he died accidentally. Fortunately for fans (and the promoters), the rehearsals were filmed in HD and the rights were promptly sold to Sony for $60 million. The assembled documentary gives fans a chance to both grieve and celebrate their favorite artist. The only comparable film Hanna Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert opened with $31 million. The media has hyped up This Is It as an event film that could shatter box office records. However, This Is It grossed an underwhelming $7.4 million from its opening day on Wednesday. With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, kids will be out trick ‘r treating and adults will be out partying on a prime movie-going night. Opening in 3481 theaters, This Is It may moonwalk away with roughly $29 million from Friday through Sunday for a five day total of around $40 million.
Last week, Paranormal Activity [PNACT] reached the top spot and ended the five-year reign of the Saw franchise. With positive buzz still spreading, the horror film should hold up well over the Halloween weekend and finish second with around $12 million.
The rumpus looks to be short-lived as the PG-rated Where the Wild Things Are [WILD] is not attracting parents to bring their kids. Where the Wild Things Are looks to tumble another 50% to $7 million in its third outing.
Moviegoers got over Jigsaw quicker than anyone expected as Saw VI [SAW6] manage to cut through just $14.1 million in its opening. The sequel is expected to drop at least 65% drop to less than $5 million.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): JACKO, PNACT, WILD, SAW6