Box Office Preview: 'Guardians of the Galaxy' to Lead Worst Weekend of the Year
With no clear challengers in sight, "Guardians of the Galaxy" is looking like the clear-cut favorite to win the worst box office weekend of the year.
The Marvel film has been the box office winner for the past two weeks and is slated to win its fourth weekend. The film is predicted to make another $11.5 million and bring its total to $296 million.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is also predicted to be the number two film after surprising throughout the summer. The film could bring another $6.7 million to its total and would put the film at $175 million.
The romance "If I Stay" will continue in third place. The film has had strong word-of-mouth and could make another $5 million. As a result, the Chloe Grace Moretz drama could end its weekend with $39 million.
Meanwhile, the comedy "Let's Be Cops" will make $4.8 million. The Jake Johnson film has been one of the breakouts of the August month and could bring its total to $66 million.
In its second weekend, "The November Man" will fall 50 percent and potentially make $4.6 million. The action thriller has no competition this weekend, and while it is still disappointing, the movie will likely end its second weekend with $18 million.
Only one film will open nationwide and that is Freestyle's "The Identical." The feature is opening in 1,950 theaters, and the company is aiming to go after the Christian audience that propelled several other films into box-office success this year. These features include Freestyles' "Gods Not Dead," "Heaven Is for Real" and "Son of God."
However, the past two Christian-based films "When the Game Stands Tall" and "Mom's Night Out" flopped. Freestyle has not given the musical drama a big marketing push and it has no A-List stars. As a result, the film is slated to make $2.4 million.
JSC Entertainment will open "Innocence" in 490 theaters. The Indie film tells the story of a young woman who discovers her elite Manhattan preparatory school harbors a dark secret. Starring Kelly Reilly, the feature has scored poor reviews and has only obtained a small marketing campaign.
Meanwhile, Paramount will re-release "Forest Gump" in IMAX a week after "Ghostbusters" was re-released. The feature is celebrating its 20th year anniversary and still has a huge fan base after having won the Oscar 20 years ago. Paramount hopes to make another $1 million to $2 million for the re-release.
In art house theaters, Triumph will release "The Remaining" in 67 theaters, and IFC Films will open the SXSW winner "Kelly and Cal" in one theater.
IFC Films will also continue to expand "Boyhood" into 775 theaters. The feature has made $18.7 million in eight weeks, and with awards season beginning, it is likely to continue its successful run.
Lionsgate will expand "Cantinflas" into 47 more theaters for a total of 429 venues. In its first week, the Mexican biopic has made a successful $3.6 million. With strong word-of-mouth, the movie is likely to add another $3 million to its total.
Sony Pictures Classics will try to revive "Magic in the Moonlight" after a disappointing run. The feature will open in 92 new theaters for a total of 530.
The company will also take advantage of the lack of new releases and expand the LGBT drama "Love is Strange." The movie has made a successful $499,946. Word-of-mouth has been strong, and awards buzz should help the film continue its success.
Studios usually take the first weekend of September to release fewer films as they gear up for awards season. Additionally, the film industry turns its attention to the festival circuit. The next few weeks will be some of the most crowded of the year as award season officially begins.