The sole new wide release this weekend is the R-rated thriller Shutter Island [SHISL] featuring the fourth collaboration between director Martin Scorsese [MSCOR] and Leonardo DiCaprio [LDCAP]. Originally set for release last fall, Shutter Island was pushed back by Paramount to fill out their 2010 slate after their banner year in 2009. The thriller seems better positioned as a mainstream movie anyway than the typical Scorsese-directed awards contender. The marketing and trailers have deftly set up the premise of two cops investigating the disappearance of a patient at an insane asylum. The film has been tracking well and other studios have steered clear of the weekend. Moviegoers do enjoy a good mystery, even if the convoluted plot twists may be farfetched. Docking at 2,991 theaters, Shutter Island could admit $39 million for the top spot.
Last weekend, Valentine’s Day [VSDAY] took advantage of Valentine’s Day falling on the Sunday of a long holiday weekend to set a new box office record for President’s Day weekend. With the special occasion now over, the time-sensitive romantic comedy could be due for a rude awakening on its second weekend. Though even with a drop off over 50%, Valentine’s Day should wrap up second place with about $26 million.
With not much competition for family-friendly dollars at the multiplex, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief [PJALT] should exhibit a decent hold in its sophomore session. The fantasy film could land another $18 million.
As an R-rated horror film, The Wolfman [WOLFM] will probably suffer the greatest decline out of the holdovers. The werewolf movie may have to settle for $15 million.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): SHISL, MSCOR, LDCAP, VSDAY, PJALT, WOLFM