The final weekend of the summer will see three new releases and a number of indie films. Among these news releases are a Zac Efron-starring teen drama and an action thriller with Owen Wilson.

Weekend Highlights

"No Escape": The Weinstein Company is starting the fall season early with an action thriller about an American family who moves overseas and finds itself caught in the middle of a coup that they must try and escape from. Directed by John Erick Dowdle, the movie stars Wilson, Pierce Brosnan and Lake Bell and has generated mostly negative reviews. Most critics have said the film is exploitative and not tense. The Weinstein Company has given the film a decent marketing campaign and is releasing it in 3,007 theaters. However, both Wilson and Brosnan have not proven to be box office draws in recent times. Brosnan no longer has the selling power of the 90's when he played James Bond while Wilson has never done well outside of comedy. As a result, analysts expect a $5 million opening for the movie.

"We Are Your Friends": Zac Efron is back after a year long absence. His new film, which is being released by Warner Bros. tells the story of an aspiring DJ, Cole Carter, who is trying to find the path to fame and fortune. The movie has been under the radar as Warner Bros. has not really given it a huge marketing campaign and reviews have been extremely negative. However, Wes Bentley has obtained strong reviews for his turn in the film. While reviews and a small marketing campaign will likely hurt the film's box office, Efron is a huge star who will definitely attract younger audiences and who has shown he has selling power. Expect the movie to open with at least $10 million.

Other Releases

The weekend will also see Alex Ross Perry's latest film "Queen of Earth" starring Elisabeth Moss and Katherine Waterston. The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival where it scored rave reviews and was immediately picked up for distribution by IFC films. It is Perry's follow-up to his acclaimed film "Listen up Philip," a film that also scored rave reviews. "Queen of Earth" will be released on VOD and in limited release and likely to appeal to niche audiences.

Roadside Attractions will release the Sundance hit "Z For Zachariah." The film is Craig Zobel's follow-up "Compliance" and unlike his last film, which was a tense thriller, this is a post-apocalyptic romance. The new film stars Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine and Margot Robbie. Reviews have been phenomenal and Roadside will likely expand it later in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Epic Pictures has "Turbo Kid" and Oscilloscope Pictures has "The Second Mother."

Well Go USA will release "Memories of the Sword" and Strand Releasing will have "Down." Sony will also release the film "War Room," starring Alex Kendrick.

Holdovers

"Straight Outta Compton" will continue to play strongly especially after having broken the $100 million mark. "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" will also continue in theaters while "Sinister 2" will expand.

A24 will continue to expand "The End of the Tour" while Sony Picture Classics will continue to build Oscar buzz for "Grandma."

Related