After setting a new opening weekend record at $208.8 million, Jurassic World [JURA4] now has its eyes on the mark for second weekend which stands at $103 million by The Avengers in 2012. By repeating many of the same beats and tropes from Jurassic Park, Jurassic World turned the goodwill and nostalgia from the 1993 original into tremendous positive word of mouth. However, a new film from Pixar could pull some of the family audience away. Jurassic World may come up just short and tally a still impressive $100 million.
After sitting out 2014, Pixar returns with its 15th animated film Inside Out [NMIND]. The previous 14 films have all opened at number one, but that streak is likely to end. Directed by Peter Docter (Up), Inside Out gives voice to the five emotions in our brain: Anger, Fear, Disgust, Sadness and Joy. Reviews have been universally positive, and the Disney and Pixar brands are usually strong enough to guarantee an opening above $60 million. Pixar’s last non-sequel, Brave opened to $66.3 million in June of 2012. However, Inside Out faces an indomitable holdover in Jurassic World. Playing in 3946 theaters, Inside Out may just reach $60 million.
Open Road counterprograms the weekend with the R-rated comedy Dope [DOPE]. The “nerds in the hood” story was a hit sensational at this year’s Sundance Festival, but will that translate with the general audience? The film features a cast of mostly newcomers, so Open Road has been screening Dope to get the word out within its target audience. Dealing in 2002 theaters, Dope could collect $9 million.
Roadside Attractions expands Love & Mercy [LVMRC] wide after two weeks of limited release. The biopic of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson took in $1.7 million from 573 theaters last weekend. Love & Mercy could get around $2 million from more than 792 theaters.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): JURA4, NMIND, DOPE, LVMRC