With Valentine’s Day falling on Thursday, three new wide releases open midweek ahead of the long Presidents’ Day holiday weekend. That’s likely to depress the weekend total and allow LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part [LEGO2] to stay in first place. Despite a less than expected debut, the family-friendly film should have legs over the holiday weekend. The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part could build up $26 million over 4 days.
After years in development, James Cameron’s passion project Alita: Battle Angel [ALITA] finally arrives directed by Robert Rodriguez [RRODR]. The PG-13 sci-fi actioner stars Rosa Salazar [RSALA] as a fully CG, bugged-eyed robot in a dystopian future. Fox pushed Alita out of the competitive holiday season due to lack of buzz. Two extra months has not really turned the tide positive. Alita earned $2.4 million in previews. Landing in 3789 theaters, Alita: Battle Angel could hit $24 million from Friday to Monday.
After Happy Death Day surprised everyone with a $26 million debut in October 2017, Blumhouse has produced a sequel Happy Death Day 2U [HDTH2]. The PG-13 horror sequel restarts the time loop, killing star Jessica Rothe [JROTH over and over again. Happy Death Day 2U opened on Wednesday to get ahead of the holiday weekend, but earned less than $1 million. Fans may not be aware of the midweek debut as the release date change came last month, or perhaps they see the sequel as a literal retread. Happy Death Day 2U may gather $21 million over the 4-day weekend from 3207 locations.
Warner Bros. targets women and couples with Isn’t It Romantic [ISROM]. The PG-13 rated romantic comedy debuted on Wednesday to $1.8 million and could do equally well on Valentine’s Day. Showing in 3444 theaters, Isn’t It Romantic could bank another $16 million over the long weekend.
Among two other sophomore films, What Men Want [WMENW] should hold better with about $12 million, while Cold Pursuit [HPWDR] looks to capture $6.5 million through Monday.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): LEGO2, ALITA, RRODR, RSALA, HDTH2, ISROM, WMENW, HPWDR