Box Office: ‘Rogue One’ Barely Hangs On At #1

Drew Dietsch
Movies
Movies

It was a surprisingly tight race for the box office’s top spot this past weekend. Rogue One managed to maintain its hold on the number one spot with an almost $22 million take for the weekend. However, Hidden Figures was right behind it with only a difference of $172,000 separating the two. Hidden Figures won audiences over with an “A+” CinemaScore and is likely going to find itself gaining some fantastic word-of-mouth.

Elsewhere, Underworld: Blood Wars disappointed by having the lowest opening of the entire series. With talk of an Underworld television series in the works, this could signify the end of the franchise’s theatrical aspirations. Honestly, this is a universe that might flourish in a more serialized format. The other big film of the week was A Monster Calls getting a wide expansion but it didn’t do much. That’s a shame since it’s definitely one of the movies you should see this year.

The Numbers Game

Each week, I will guess how much wide-release films will be making on their opening weekend. My estimates come from my heart and my gut. You’d think I’d use my brain, but that makes far too much sense. Fandom’s editor Nick Nunziata will also be providing his guesses because two stabs in the dark are better than one.

Last Week:

Underworld: Blood Wars
My Guess: $19,000,000
Nick’s Guess: $15,000,000
Actual: $13,100,000
Result: Nick wins this one. I had higher hopes for a female-led action film that was directed by a woman.

Hidden Figures
My Guess: $10,000,000
Nick’s Guess: $12,000,000
Actual: $21,800,000
Result: Happy to be so wrong about this one.

A Monster Calls
My Guess: $12,000,000
Nick’s Guess: $6,000,000
Actual: $2,019,350
Result: This is a bummer. Hopefully, this will find its audience later in its life.

This week:

Patriot’s Day

It’s a packed weekend at the box office but Patriot’s Day has the advantage thanks to having the widest release of any newcomers. Plus, the true story aspect is bound to resonate with a lot of audience members. Mark Wahlberg is a solid box office draw and Hollywood patriotism usually brings a strong contingency of viewers out in force. Still, January weather is going to take a toll on everybody.

My guess: $20,000,000
Nick’s guess: $26,000,000

Monster Trucks

monster trucks box office

This film has been something of a joke for a lot of film fans, but it’s not fair to assume that general audiences will respond the same way. However, Sing will still be in theaters and could sap some of Monster Trucks‘s potential crowd. And it’s possible that the silly concept of the film might turn some families off.

My guess: $10,000,000
Nick’s guess: $100,000,000,000,000,006

Live By Night

live by night box office

Ben Affleck’s gangster film finally goes wide. This has been a prestige picture for Warner Bros., but the critical response to the film back in limited release was incredibly discouraging. It looks like this one is getting pushed out and the studio is hoping for the best. It doesn’t help that there are three adult offerings coming out this same weekend. This could possibly take a beating if it gets lost in the shuffle.

My guess: $13,000,000
Nick’s guess: $9,000,000

The Bye Bye Man

bye bye man box office

Horror movies never do well in January. The Bye Bye Man is likely going to fall into this same pattern. Marketing has been incredibly light and awareness is so important for a horror film. And with the rest of the box office overflowing with options, this is probably going to be the weakest earner of the weekend.

My guess: $5,000,000
Nick’s guess: $8,500,000

Sleepless

sleepless jamie foxx box office

Another adult offering that hasn’t gotten the word out as much as it probably should. It looks like a solid bit of thriller action, but there just hasn’t been enough of a push to make this one break out. Jamie Foxx is as dependable as you can get, but there’s not much that has made this feel like something you need to see in theaters. This’ll be on daytime television soon enough.

My guess: $9,000,000
Nick’s guess: $11,000,000

See you next week, box office buddies!

Source: Box Office Mojo

Drew Dietsch
Drew Dietsch has been professionally writing about entertainment for over a decade. His bylines include FANDOM - where he was a founding contributor and Entertainment Editor - Bloody Disgusting, SYFY WIRE, and more. He created and hosts GenreVision, a weekly film discussion show at genrevision.com.