The end of the summer movie season brings two new wide releases and the re-releaseof the biggest blockbuster ever. The 3D only Avatar: Special Edition with nine more minutes should help push its domestic box office across the $750 million milestone. However, Avatar is unlikely to top the box office, or even finish in the top five.
The Last Exorcism [LXORC] is the latest horror film shot like a home video documentary to advance its realism. Lionsgate knows how to market horror films and the ads for PG-13 rated film have shown genuine scares. Jumping into 2874 theaters, The Last Exorcism could attract $15 million worth of admissions.
Sony Screen Gems counters with the heist film Takers [TAKER]. The PG-13 rated film boasts an attractive cast of male stars, though the release had to be delayed when a couple of them got in trouble with the law. The action thriller should play best in urban markets. Takers could grab around $10 million from 2206 theaters.
The Expendables [XPNDB] is holding well for a summer guy’s movie and should be able to muster another $9 million in its third weekend. It’s opening partner Eat Pray Love [ETPLV] is also cruising along comfortably and could bring in another $7 million.
Vampires Suck [VAMPM] appears headed for a fall to about $6 million, while fellow sophomore release Lottery Ticket [LOTKT] looks to hit roughly $5 million in its second drawing.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): LXORC, TAKER, XPNDB, ETPLV, VAMPM, LOTKT