The box office is buzzing with anticipation as two films are poised to dominate the pre-Christmas weekend!
'Zootopia 2' is on track to maintain its reign at the top, aiming for a third consecutive week as the number one movie. This family-friendly animated adventure is projected to earn approximately $26 million, a slight decline of 40% from its impressive second-weekend performance of $43.4 million. With global earnings about to surpass the $1 billion mark (excluding Russia), 'Zootopia 2' is set to become the third film this year to achieve this remarkable milestone, following in the footsteps of 'Lilo & Stitch'.
But here's where it gets exciting: 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' is hot on its heels, aiming for a gross between $16M and $20M. This sequel, released solely in theaters, has a dedicated fandom, but its frontloaded popularity may result in a noticeable drop in earnings. Nevertheless, with a current total of $71M, the film is well on its way to surpassing the $100M mark, outperforming its predecessor's $137.2M domestic run.
Now, let's introduce some drama to the mix. Disney's 20th Century Studios presents 'Ella McCay', a female-led dramedy directed by the legendary James L. Brooks, returning to the director's chair after 15 years. Starring the talented Emma Mackey, the film tells the story of a state lieutenant governor who suddenly finds herself in a position of power when her boss steps down for political aspirations. However, her personal life, entangled with her husband, father (Woody Harrelson), brother, and even her boss (Albert Brooks), adds a layer of complexity. Despite a modest budget of $35M, significantly lower than Brooks' previous romantic comedy starring Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon, 'Ella McCay' is anticipated to open to a modest $4M across 2,500 theaters. With previews starting on Thursday afternoon and a star-studded cast including Jamie Lee Curtis, Spike Fearn, Ayo Edebiri, Rebecca Hall, and Kumail Nanjiani, one might expect a bigger splash. But, sadly, early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes indicate a less-than-favorable 23%.
Cinverse's reboot of the Christmas horror classic 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' is set to release in 1,000 theaters, but expectations are low, with an estimated gross of $2M due to limited showtimes. Meanwhile, Universal's re-release of the beloved 'Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas' starring Jim Carrey is expected to fare better. Fun fact: Upon its initial release, this Christmas classic became the highest-grossing film of 2000, surpassing Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible II' with a total of $251.6M. Christmas movies often face a short window of opportunity, but 'The Grinch' defied expectations, reaching a domestic total of $261.3M and a worldwide gross of over $347M.
And this is the part most fans are eagerly awaiting: 'Avatar: Fire & Ash', also from 20th Century Studios, is set to ignite the box office on December 19th, with hopes of surpassing the $100M mark. Will it become the must-see Christmas blockbuster? Only time will tell.
What are your predictions for these films' performances? Do you think 'Zootopia 2' can maintain its top spot, or will 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' surprise us all? And what about 'Ella McCay'? Can it defy the odds and become a sleeper hit? Share your thoughts and let's discuss the upcoming box office battles!
