A new horror film typically kicks off the first weekend of the new year and 2019 is no exception. However, holdovers will continue to dominate led by Aquaman [AQUMN]. The DC superhero looks to cross $250 million with a third weekend around $27 million.
Mary Poppins Returns [MPOPN] is showing great legs through the holiday period. The Disney musical should haul in another $20 million during its third outing.
Bumblebee [TFRM6] also continues to perform strong and could steer another $14 million to its coffers.
The weekend’s only new opener is the PG-13 rated thriller Escape Room [TMAZE] from Sony. A year ago, Insidious: The Last Key took in $29.6 million, while Underworld: Blood Wars opened to $13.7 million the year before. Both were sequels. Escape Room has a premise that should appeal to young adults who’ve experienced real-life escape rooms. Locked in 2717 theaters, Escape Room [TMAZE] could achieve $12 million.
Between the two sophomore releases, Vice [CHENY] will hold better at around 60% for a $4.5 million second weekend. With poor word of mouth, Holmes & Watson [HLMWT] is likely to tumble 55% to about $3.5 million.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): AQUMN, MPOPN, TFRM6, TMAZE, CHENY, HLMWT