Who’s going to take the first weekend of the New Year? Considering “Texas Chainsaw 3D” is the sole new wide release, it’s a safe bet it’ll be Leatherface for the win. “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning” only took $18.5 million opening weekend, but should this installment find a middle ground between that and January 2012’s big horror hit, “The Devil Inside,” it’ll post about $23 million.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” enjoyed a very unexpected minimal decline last weekend and while it certainly won’t drop just 13.5% again, it could still hold on to 55% of its weekend three total, giving it $17 million and letting it stay on top of “Les Misérables” and “Django Unchained.” “Les Mis” may have won Christmas Day, but it’s been slipping ever since, letting both “The Hobbit” and “Django” get the better of it. Should “Les Mis” take a 50% hit and “Django” just 35%, “Django” will take #3 with $19 million and “Les Mis” #4 with $14 million.
“Parental Guidance” may have taken a decent $14.6 million during weekend one, but, with the kiddies going back to school, “Jack Reacher” will be the one with staying power. Should “Jack Reacher” lose just 45% of its weekend two total and “Parental Guidance” drop 55%, “Jack Reacher” will come in 5th with $7.5 million and “Parental Guidance” in 6th with $6.5 million. Lucky for “Parental Guidance,” “This Is 40” is in for a tough tumble, too. Should “This Is 40” slip 50%, it’ll have just over $6 million, which will only be good for the 7th slot.
With the Academy Award nominee announcements right around the corner, “Lincoln” should hold up nicely, only dropping 35% from weekend eight to nine and taking another $5 million to the bank. Things aren’t looking too hot for “The Guilt Trip” or “Monsters, Inc. 3D,” but “Rise of the Guardians” is far enough behind both that they could manage to take the 9th and 10th spots, respectively, “The Guilt Trip” with about $3.5 million and “Monsters, Inc. 3D” with closer to $3 million.
Shockya.com Predictions
1. Texas Chainsaw 3D
2. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
3. Django Unchained
4. Les Misérables
5. Jack Reacher
6. Parental Guidance
7. This Is 40
8. Lincoln
9. The Guilt Trip
10. Monsters, Inc. 3D
By Perri Nemiroff (via Box Office Mojo)
