Two new star-studded films enter the box office arena, but Thor: Ragnarok [THOR3] should easily hold on to the championship title. Despite great reviews, Thor: Ragnarok will lose more than 50% like any superhero sequel. The similar toned Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 dropped 55% earlier this year. The same decline would put Thor: Ragnarok at $55.0 million in its second weekend.
The classic Agatha Christie mystery Murder on the Orient Express [MOTOE] gets a remake from Kenneth Branagh [KBRAN] who directed and starred as Detective Poirot. Johnny Depp [JDEPP], Judi Dench [JDENC], Michelle Pfeiffer [MPFEI] and Daisy Ridley [DRIDL] lead the all-star cast, which should appeal to adult moviegoers not interested in superheroes and comedies. Reviews for the PG-13 rated thriller are positive. Rolling into 3350 theaters, Murder on the Orient Express could pull in $24 million.
Will Ferrell [WFERR] and Mark Wahlberg [MWAHL] reunite for the PG-13 rated comedy sequel Daddy’s Home 2 [DDHM2]. Daddy’s Home opened with $38.7 million, though that was over Christmas weekend. As with A Bad Moms Christmas last week, it may be too early for a holiday-themed movie. The addition of Mel Gibson [MGIBS] could also turn off more moviegoers than attract his old fans. Daddy’s Home 2 may settle for $23 million from 3575 theaters.
With worse reviews, A Bad Moms Christmas [BADM2] is unlikely to have the legs of the first Bad Moms, which held 59% of its opening weekend. The sequel A Bad Moms Christmas is likely to retain around 50% for a second weekend around $8.5 million.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): THOR3, MOTOE, KBRAN, JDEPP, JDENC, MPFEI, DRIDL, WFERR, MWAHL, DDHM2, MGIBS, BADM2