So far, so good at the box office in 2013, but can “Gangster Squad” and “A Haunted House” keep the cash flow strong? Not likely, but “Zero Dark Thirty” certainly can. Kathryn Bigelow’s latest is finally getting its nationwide expansion and considering it posted a $44,933 per theater average at 60 theaters last weekend, it could pull in quite the sum with 2,340 additional locations. Even if that per theater average falls to $10,000, “Zero Dark Thirty” will still post $24 million for the weekend and take the top spot.
Even with an all-star cast, “Gangster Squad” might have trouble attracting the masses. Should it take $5,000 per theater, it’ll kick off its run in the second position with $15 million. As for “A Haunted House,” it may be a scary thought, but with no new spoof films having hit theaters in quite some time, moviegoers might be more willing to give this one a shot. It likely won’t earn as much as January 2008’s “Meet the Spartans,” but it still could take about $13 million.
Per usual, “Texas Chainsaw 3D” will take the typical 50% horror hit, leaving it with just $11 million its second weekend out. “Django Unchained” should have no trouble out-earning Leatherface this time around, especially after a mere 33.6% weekend one to two drop. Even if that number creeps up to 40%, “Django” will still be taking another $12 million to the bank.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” has been enjoying a solid run, but last weekend’s 45% drop and the loss of 743 theaters could suggest a heftier hit this time around. Should it lose 50%, it’ll take $9 million for weekend four. “Les Misérables” has been on a surprisingly swift decline ever since its big Christmas Day win. Should last weekend’s 41.3% loss get bumped up to about 45%, “Les Mis” could be looking at an $8 million third weekend out.
With no new family-friendly fare hitting theaters, “Parental Guidance” should have no trouble keeping on top of “Jack Reacher” even though its losing 411 theater. If the former drops 35% and the latter 40%, they’ll take $6 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Even though there was a $3 million gap between “Lincoln” and “This Is 40” last weekend, between “Lincoln’s” Academy Award nominations and “This Is 40’s” 618-theater decline, “Lincoln” should have no trouble snagging that final spot on the top ten, ousting “This Is 40’s” $4 million weekend four haul with $4.5 million.
Shockya.com Predictions
1. Zero Dark Thirty
2. Gangster Squad
3. A Haunted House
4. Django Unchained
5. Texas Chainsaw 3D
6. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
7. Les Misérables
8. Parental Guidance
9. Jack Reacher
10. Lincoln
By Perri Nemiroff (via Box Office Mojo)
