Denzel Washington returns to the box office and is likely to beat out newcomers "The Boxtrolls" and holdover "The Maze Runner."

After having premiered to mixed reviews at the Toronto Film Festival, "The Equalizer" is expected to make an estimated $30 million to $32 million. The movie is opening in 3,236 theaters, and Washington is one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. In the past six years, all of his movies have opened above the $20 million mark and awareness and marketing for "The Equalizer" has been high. A sequel to the film is already in development, which suggests Sony has high hopes for the opening.

In second place "The Maze Runner" should drop 50 percent after a solid weekend. The film could make another $17 million and bring its total to $57 million.

Focus Features could have its best hit of the year with "The Boxtrolls." Opening in 3,464 theaters, the movie is likely to debut with $14 million. The animated film marks the third stop-motion feature by Laika Animation. Laika's first two movies, "Coraline" and "ParaNorman," opened to $16.8 million and $14.1 million, and even though "The Boxtrolls" has had a more aggressive marketing push, reviews have not been as good as its predecessors.

In its second weekend "This Where I Leave You" will also slide 50 percent and make an estimated $6 million. Mixed reviews and an overcrowded box office will likely bring the comedy's total gross to $21.2 million.

Liam Neeson's "A Walk Among the Tombstones" will face competition from "The Equalizer" as it is from the same genre. The movie will likely drop 60 percent and and make $5 million.

In art house cinemas, Samuel Goldwyn Films will unroll "The Song." The country song drama is being unveiled in 300 theaters and is being targeted toward Christian moviegoers. The genre has had mixed reactions throughout the year and recently a film with a similar theme called "The Identical" opened to just $1.59 million from nearly 2,000 theaters. Other Christian films that have failed include Tristar's "When the Game Stands Tall" and "Mom's Night Out." However, this genre is unpredictable and there may be surprises from "The Song."

Lionsgate/Pantelion's latest co-production will open "Mas Negro Que La Noche" in 150 theaters this weekend. The marketing is being targeted to Latino moviegoers and has been moderately pushed. The company has had mixed results with a lot of their films, and outside of "Instructions Not Included," Pantelion movies have had a fairly low results. This year "Cesar Chavez" only made $5.6 million, and the Oscar selection "Cantinflas" disappointed with $7 million.

Magnolia will open "The Two Faces of January" after having bowed it on VOD a month before. The movie has gotten a huge marketing push and stars Viggo Mortensen, Oscar Isaac and Kirsten Dunst are likely to appeal to moviegoers.

CBS Films is releasing "Pride" in six locations. The movie has done solidly in the U.K. where it has made $3 million through its first 10 days and could be a word-of-mouth hit here. The comedy has received rave reviews, but does not have any huge art house talent attached which could be problematic.

After a disappointing start, the Weinstein Company will expand "Tracks," into 24 theaters bringing its theater count to 28. The studio has been marketing it heavily, and with good reviews and awards buzz, it could improve upon its opening.

Sony Pictures Classics will continue to expand "Love is Strange" into 138 theaters. The movie has already made $1.6 million and word-of-mouth continues to be high.

Related