R-rated sci-fi action versus PG animation, a war with a predictable outcome. Yes, Looper might be hailed as a new classic of the genre (92% on Rotten Tomatoes right now) and yes, Hotel Transylvania features the voice of Adam Sandler, but at the end of the day we know which film will come on top, unfortunately.
As much as I’d love to tell you that Looper is the prime candidate to win this weekend, I can’t. All Hotel Transylvania has to do is gross over $20 million, a number well within reach for the kiddie flick, and it should be enough to beat Looper. Sony Pictures Animation are behind Hotel Transylvania and their last big film that came out around the same time was Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, way back in 2009. That one got off to a great start with a $30.3 million opening weekend. Hotel Transylvania should aim for that, but really, anything between $20 and $30 million is good here. I’m gonna go with $25 million on this one.
In 2nd place we’ll see Looper, the great looking sci-fi actioner starring Bruce Willis and Nolan favorite Joseph Gordon Levitt. As mentioned in the intro, this film is doing tremendously well as far as critical reception goes so don’t be surprised if it ends up with very strong box office legs in the long run. Unfortunately being an R-rated flick, while liberating from an artistic point of view, comes with at least one downside (fewer people can get in), not to mention Looper doesn’t have overpriced 3D tickets behind it like Hotel Transylvania. For now I’m gonna say $17 million for Looper but I’ll keep my fingers crossed for more, maybe even a win out of left field.
Last weekend End of Watch ended up in 1st place so naturally it has the best chance to come in 3rd this time. Weekdays have been great so far and I could see this with $7-8 million.
The other big film that came out last weekend, which unfortunately didn’t end up as big as I thought it would, is Trouble With the Curve. 4th place with $7 million, which is a bit disappointing for Clint Eastwood.
Rounding out the top 5 should be the last new wide release of the week, PG drama Won’t Back Down starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis. This one is good for $6 million.
Next week Liam Neeson takes on another round of baddies in Taken 2, Tim Burton returns to one of his first project with Frankenweenie, and the ever more popular Anna Kendrick stars in the comedy Pitch Perfect.
