This weekend three major releases will open nationwide. The releases represent three different genres and films for different audiences. Among these films are the science fiction film "Chappie," the comedy "Unfinished Business" and the dramedy "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."

"Chappie"

Visionary director Neil Blomkamp is back with his third film. The new movie re-teams the director with Sharlto Copley and the story takes place in the near future where crime is patrolled by an oppressive mechanized police force. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. "Chappie" also stars Dev Patel and Hugh Jackman and has been given a huge marketing campaign. Sony hopes it can create the same buzz "District 9" had back in 2009. However, science fiction films are hard sells and that was seen with Blomkamp's second film, "Elysium," which under-performed. "Interstellar" was another example of how hard it is to sell a science fiction. "Interstellar" had a huge marketing campaign and boasted huge stars and a director with a bigger audience than Blomkamp's. As a result, with no early reviews and little buzz, it is likely the big budget production will open with $20 million, making it the director's worst opening yet. Sony is releasing it in 3,600 theaters and hopes it can surprise.

"The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"

After a huge breakout, Fox Searchlight decided to make a sequel to "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." The new film starring, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Dev Patel and Bill Nighy, tells the story of Sonny, who pursues his expansionist dream of opening a second hotel when the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has only a single remaining vacancy - posing a rooming predicament for two fresh arrivals. Fox Searchlight hopes the sequel will relive the success of the original and has decided to open the film in wide release rather than the usual platform release. The company is opening "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" in 1,400 theaters and with good reviews, the film could easily become the Indie hit of the spring.

"Unfinished Business"

Starring Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco and Vince Vaughn, the new comedy tells the story of a hard-working small business owner and his two associates who travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what began as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every way imaginable - and unimaginable - way, including unplanned stops at a massive sex fetish event and a global economic summit. The movie has received a modest marketing push and has not been screened for critics. Fox is releasing the movie in 2,800 theaters, which means the company is only giving the film a modest push. Based on Vaughn's last four studio films, it seems his fans have lost interest in his movies and "Unfinished Business" could easily open with only $10 million, making it the second-lowest opening for a Vaughn comedy film in wide release.

"Merchants of Doubt"

Sony Classic Pictures will release a documentary that looks at pundits-for-hire who present themselves as scientific authorities as they speak about topics like toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals and climate change. The new film played at the Telluride, Toronto and New York Film Festivals and was nominated for the Producers Guild of America. Reviews are solid and Sony will start by opening the film in a limited run before expanding it.


In art house theaters Samuel Goldwyn will release "Basses on The Bayou" starring Danny Trejo while Janus Film will re-release "Grey Gardens."

Freestyle Releasing will unveil the horror picture "Hayride 2" while Abramorama will take out "An Honest Liar."

Distrib Films will continue to champion the foreign film with the acclaimed Italian film "The Mafia Only Kills in Summer."

Meanwhile, City Drive Films will release "The Mind of Mark DeFriest," Filmbuff will release "Road Hoard" and Well Go USA will offer "The Final Hours."

If none of these films appeal, the box office will still offer "Kingsman: The Secret Service," "Focus," "The Lazarus Effect" and "Fifty Shades of Grey." The Oscar winning films "Birdman" and "Still Alice" will also still be in movie theaters trying to leverage their Oscar wins.

Foreign films "Two Days One Night," "Wild Tales" and "Leviathan" will also continue playing in theaters.

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