With Pixar's Up practically guaranteed to hold on to the number one spot for a second week in a row, Will Ferrell's family-friendly Land of the Lost will battle the raunchy comedy The Hangover from Ferrell's Old School director Todd Phillips for second place. And if reviews still matter at all, The Hangover will best Lost for the silver medal, despite its R rating. Check out my predictions below:
1. Up: $40 million
Wall-E dropped 49% on its second weekend but that was primarily due to the 4th of July holiday. Most Pixar films fall in the 40% range during their sophomore session, and Up should be no different. With critics giving it practically unanimous positive marks, the animated geriatric adventure tale should hold up well and cross the $100 million threshold this frame with ease.
Wall-E dropped 49% on its second weekend but that was primarily due to the 4th of July holiday. Most Pixar films fall in the 40% range during their sophomore session, and Up should be no different. With critics giving it practically unanimous positive marks, the animated geriatric adventure tale should hold up well and cross the $100 million threshold this frame with ease.
2. The Hangover: $25 million
Warner Bros. is so high on this movie starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis that the studio engaged in an extensive screening program and, in an unheard-of move, already greenlit a sequel. The Las Vegas-set comedy should attract both older audiences and the college crowd, who are sure to relate to a plot about piecing together a night of drunken debauchery.
3. Land of the Lost: $23 million
This PG-13 rated re-imagining of Sid and Marty Krofft's cult '70s TV show from director Brad Silberling had such promise on paper. Sleestaks, Cha-Ka, what more could a '70s baby want? Thing is, though, no one who rushes out to see movies opening weekend, meaning kids 18 and under, has a clue what we're talking about. And while Will Ferrell has been working overtime promoting this movie--Saturday Night Live, Man vs. Wild--in the end Lost isn't likely to be one of summer's most memorable moments.
This PG-13 rated re-imagining of Sid and Marty Krofft's cult '70s TV show from director Brad Silberling had such promise on paper. Sleestaks, Cha-Ka, what more could a '70s baby want? Thing is, though, no one who rushes out to see movies opening weekend, meaning kids 18 and under, has a clue what we're talking about. And while Will Ferrell has been working overtime promoting this movie--Saturday Night Live, Man vs. Wild--in the end Lost isn't likely to be one of summer's most memorable moments.
4. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian:$12 million
The Ben Stiller-starrer is a hit, though it's likely to see some stiff competition this frame from Land of the Lost. Expect another solid 50% drop for the weekend, which would put its total take close to $124 million.
5. Drag Me to Hell: $8 million
This fifth slot is going to be a horse race. You've got your stalwart Star Trek hanging in for a fifth weekend, Terminator Salvation striving to stay relevant its third weekend, and this Sam Raimi horror pic, which has both horror fans and critics raving. I'm gonna give it to Raimi. Maybe his fans (and horror lovers in general) didn't get a chance to see the movie opening weekend, and that could save it from dropping too steeply its second go-around in theaters.
This fifth slot is going to be a horse race. You've got your stalwart Star Trek hanging in for a fifth weekend, Terminator Salvation striving to stay relevant its third weekend, and this Sam Raimi horror pic, which has both horror fans and critics raving. I'm gonna give it to Raimi. Maybe his fans (and horror lovers in general) didn't get a chance to see the movie opening weekend, and that could save it from dropping too steeply its second go-around in theaters.
Also opening in theaters: Nia Vardalos' My Life in Ruins. Critics have been giving Vardalos' My Big Fat Greek Wedding follow-up a drubbing, and any nostalgia for the surprise 2002 film has probably worn off by now. Fox Searchlight is opening the Greece-set comedy in over 1,000 theaters, but it's gonna have to fight to get into the top ten.
