Ana Coto's 'Ouija', Keanu Reeves' 'John Wick' Set to Beat Brad Pitt's 'Fury At Box Office
"Ouija" is slated to win the box office, beating out new release "John Wick" and holdover releases "Fury" and "Gone Girl."
Opening in 2,700 theaters, Universal's "Ouija" is slated to make an estimated $28 million, which would give it the best horror opening of the year. The film, starring Olivia Cooke and Ana Coto, tells the story of a group of friends who must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board. While there have been no reviews released, the movie is coming out in time for Halloween and this will definitely entice horror fans. However, it faces competition from "Annabelle," which has been a box office hit thus far.
In second place, the Keanu Reeves' starrer "John Wick" will open in 2,450 theaters and is slated to make $17 million. The movie has obtained rave reviews and tells the story of an ex-hitman who comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. The movie is likely to gain traction with the great reviews and also through the strong marketing campaign that Lionsgate has given it. The only drawback that "John Wick" may face is the fact that Reeves has not been an A-list star in years and has had trouble drawing audiences. Still, word-of-mouth could help its eventual box office total.
After a strong opening, Sony's "Fury" is likely to bring in another $14.5 million. The Brad Pitt starrer has obtained rave reviews and could bring its total to $47.5 million.
Meanwhile, the Ben Affleck thriller "Gone Girl" will continues its strong run and most likely add another $12 million. That would bring its total to $125 million.
In art house cinemas, the Weinstein Company will expand "St. Vincent" nationwide in hopes of continuing its successful run. Strong word-of-mouth, awards buzz and good reviews are helping the film cross over to the mainstream. After two weeks in limited release, the film is tracking extremely well and is likely to make $6 million in its first nationwide weekend.
A24 will open two films. The Sundance hit "Laggies," starring, Keira Knightley and Chloe Grace Moretz, will no longer open nationwide, instead opening in limited release. The film tells the story of Megan who panics when her boyfriend proposes and decides to take an opportunity to escape for a week and hide out in the home of her new friend, 16-year-old Annika. Reviews are a bit mixed but the A-list stars could help it at the box office.
The company will also release "Revenge of the Green Dragons." The movie tells the story of two best friends who rise through the ranks of New York's Chinese underworld in the 1980s. Bad reviews and lack of buzz could hurt the film's appeal.
After a month on VOD, Magnolia will debut "White Bird in a Blizzard," starring Shailene Woodley. The Sundance hit tells the story of a teenage girl whose life is thrown into chaos when her mother disappears. Also starring Eva Green, Christopher Meloni and Shiloh Fernandez, reviews are mixed and having already been released on VOD, theatrical expectations may be low. However, Woodley, who has had two box office hits this year, could attract audiences to theaters.
Magnolia will also debut "Force Majeure," which is Sweden's Oscar selection. The drama has obtained rave reviews and tells the story of a family on a ski holiday in the French Alps who find themselves staring down an avalanche during lunch one day. In the aftermath, their dynamic has been shaken to its core, with a question mark hanging over their patriarch in particular. Magnolia has not announced whether it will get a VOD release yet. However, the theatrical run will allow it to qualify for other categories at the Academy Awards.
Radius TWC will release "Citizenfour" after premiering at the New York Film Festival to fabulous reviews. The documentary tells the story of Edward Snowden and is stated to be the front-runner for the Best Documentary award. Additionally some pundits are calling a Best Picture contender. With this buzz, the studio is likely to have a hit in art house theaters.