After weeks of predictable winners at the box office we finally have a proper battle between Prometheus and animated sequel Madagascar 3. Find out which film I think will take the #1 spot right after the break.
Director Ridley Scott returns to the sci-fi horror genre with Prometheus, a prequel to his original Alien from 1979. That film made $78.9 million back then which would translate to $249.1 million today, so quite a lot. And yes, Prometheus is my pick for the top spot at the box office over the weekend. More recently Alien vs Predator (2004) opened with $38.2 million. That was a mediocre PG-13 mumbo-jumbo, a disgrace to the Alien series. Yet it managed a strong opening, showing that fans are still out there, desperate for a return to form. Well it seems like Ridley Scott answered their prayers with Prometheus, a film I think should bring in about $60 million this weekend. That number will put Prometheus right between Hannibal (5th with $58 million) and 300 (4th with $70.8 million) as far as the biggest R-rated opening go. Here’s hoping it can go even higher.
Madagascar was released back in 2005, opening with $47.2 million and moving on to gross $193.5 million in North America. DreamWorks released a sequel in 2008, starting with $63.1 million and finishing with $180 million. Following the same downward spiral Madagascar 3 might be looking at about $55 million or less. What’s actually keeping me from considering an even lower weekend is the 3D, often a helping hand for family films at the box office.
In 3rd place Snow White and the Huntsman might be looking at a $30 million weekend judging by the weekdays it has shown so far. If that pans out then the film will have over $105 million after 10 days in theaters.
Men in Black 3 is a safe bet for fourth with $15 million or so for around $137 million after 17 days. Men in Black 2 had $148 million at the same point.
The Avengers may leave the top 5 after this weekend, but in its 6th weekend the movie is looking at $12 million, which should bring the film to an unbelievable total of $573 million.
Next weekend Tom Cruise rocks the stage in the musical Rock of Ages while Adam Sandler will hopefully try to redeem himself in the comedy That’s My Boy.
