With the Golden Globes two days away, several movies are set for nationwide release this weekend, but only one of them is brand new (more on that later). The box office chart this weekend will see many holdovers, but the top spot ia going to a film based on a true story.
“Lone Survivor. ” is expanding to 2,876 locations this weekend, after a limited Christmas day release. “Lone Survivor” tells the story of Operation Red Wings, a 2005 Navy SEALs mission in Afghanistan that resulted in 19 U.S. casualties. There’s always a chance the tragic story could keep some audiences away. Universal knows this, so instead of focusing on the tragedy, the studio’s marketing campaign spotlighted the patriotism, courage and brotherhood of the SEAL team, and that will bring in general moviegoers.
Mark Wahlberg is a reliable box office draw, lifting films like “Contraband” and “2 Guns” to solid openings in the mid-$20 million range. With that in mind, “Lone Survivor” is poised to become the year’s first big hit, and should easily win the weekend with around $24 million.
Opening at 2,104 locations is “The Legend of Hercules, ” the only new release this weekend. The film directed by Renny Harlin and co-written with Daniel Giat, Giulio Steve and Sean Hood. The film stars Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss, Scott Adkins, Roxanne McKee and Liam Garrigan. The only name I recognize is Renny Harlin, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. Did you know: “The Legend of Hercules” is the first of two 2014 movies focused on the son of Zeus.
Not that being first is going to help this movie whatsoever. Let me put it another way: If “Lone Survivor” is poised to become the first hit of the year, “The Legend of Hercules” is poised to become 2014’s first bomb. Legend should finish with around $9 million, and out of the top five.
After earning over $3.2 million in limited release, Spike Jonze’s “Her” expands to 1,729 theaters. The movie has received strong reviews and plenty of awards attention, but its odd story of a man who falls in love with his computer will keep prunes like my mother in law away. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if “Her” had a $10 million weekend.
Also expanding nationwide this weekend are “August: Osage County” and “Inside Llewyn Davis.” August reaches 905 locations, while Llewyn will be playing at 729 venues. Both films should earn around $5 million, but August could go higher thanks to Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts.