Box Office Predictions: Could The Maze Runner Be Next Big Movie Franchise?
"The Maze Runner" is slated to win the box office and continue the solid start to the fall season. "This Is Where I Leave You" and "A Walk Among the Tombstones" should also open to solid numbers.
The 20th Century Fox film based on the popular young adult novel, "The Maze Runner," by James Dashner is set to debut with $37 million. The box office currently has no action or science fiction film in the marketplace and that should easily generate interest. Additionally, the film is based on a popular young adult novel, and critics have been favorable toward the adaptation. The movie's marketing push has also been strong and Fox has decided to release "The Maze Runner" in 3,604 theaters to boosts its chances of breaking out.
Liam Neeson's latest thriller "A Walk Among the Tombstones" should reach second place and make $14 million. Universal has been marketing the feature as a thriller, but has had a hard reaching action fans as the tone of the film seems to be very dark. Nevertheless, Neeson has been a huge box office draw throughout the past years and recently had a box office hit with "Non-Stop." The studio is set to open the film in 2,712 theaters with hopes of generating buzz among male audiences.
In its second weekend, "No Good Deed" will most likely land in third and have a 50 percent drop. The thriller could make another $12 million and bring its outstanding gross to $42 million.
Shawn Levy's latest comedy "This Is Where I Leave You" will open in 2,868 theaters and will likely earn $11.5 million. The feature premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, where it scored mixed reviews. However, the comedy has received an aggressive marketing push by Warner Bros. Tina Fey and Jason Bateman are also popular actors, even if their films are sometimes hits or misses. At the moment, there are few comedies in the marketplace, and that could be beneficial towards the film's debut. However, with the overcrowded slate of films being released, "This Is Where I Leave You" could be ignored.
"Dolphin Tale 2" will likely have a solid second weekend and make $10 million. The feature has attracted positive word-of-mouth throughout the week and is also the perfect family movie. By the end of the weekend, the drama could be at $28 million, which would still be far behind the original 2011 installment.
In art house cinemas, Fox Searchlight will expand the box office breakout "The Drop" into 1,192 theaters. While it is unexpected to make more then its opening weekend, it should be able to earn $2.5 million and bring its gross to $8.2 million.
Meanwhile, A24 will debut Kevin Smith's latest film, "Tusk," in 602 theaters. Starring Justin Long, Genesis Rodriguez and Haley Joel Osment, the horror film has scored rave reviews after premiering at the Toronto Film Festival. Smith is a director with a huge following, but his films are generally not for the main stream. As a result, expect "Tusk" to make $1.8 million.
Picturehouse will release the well-received thriller, "The Guest." The movie will debut in 19 theaters before expanding nationwide in a few weeks. Directed by Adam Wingard, the feature should appeal to fans of Wingard's last movie, "Your Next."
The Weinstein Company will debut "Tracks" in four theaters after having delayed it. The drama stars Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver, and it premiered at the Venice Film Festival. With positive reviews and awards buzz, the feature should appeal to older audiences and art house aficionados.
Relativity will also open Simon Pegg starrer "Hector and the Search for Happiness" in four theaters. The feature has not generated a lot of interest, especially after receiving terrible reviews at the Toronto Film Festival.
Roadside Attractions will expand "The Skeleton Twins" into 34 theaters and up the theater count to 49. The Sundance winner opened to solid numbers last weekend and Roadside Attractions hopes that Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader's presence could help the movie breakout into the mainstream.
Meanwhile, the Weinstein Company will expand "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby" into 136 theaters. The film also had a solid start and the company is attempting to generate awards buzz before it releases the complete three-hour version.
WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT FILM? LIKE US ON FACEBOOK