Transformers director Michael Bay takes a robotic break next weekend with 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, which recounts the true story of the security team attempting to defend the diplomatic compound during Benghazi’s terrorist attack on September 11, 2012. The cast includes James Badge Dale and John Krasinski.
The film has generated plenty of publicity due its timely subject matter and that could lead to a stealthy gross out of the gate. Competition for male attention is strong, with Ride Along 2 premiering and the second weekend of The Revenant in its path.
That said, January has proven to be quite fruitful for military themed fare. Last year, Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper grossed an astonishing $89 million in its wide release opening weekend. In 2013, Lone Survivor with Mark Wahlberg earned nearly $38 million for its debut. In 2012, the February release of Act of Valor took in $24.4 million for its start.
I believe Benghazi‘s gross might fall somewhere between Survivor and Valor numbers (anything approaching Sniper‘s grosses seems out of reach). My prediction reflects a belief that 13 Hours could reach right near the $30M mark for a very solid opening.
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi opening weekend prediction: $29.3 million
For my Ride Along 2 prediction, click here:
https://toddmthatcher.com/2016/01/07/ride-along-2-box-office-prediction/
For my Norm of the North prediction, click here:
https://toddmthatcher.com/2016/01/07/norm-of-the-north-box-office-prediction/
All My Life... I Wanted To Be A Blogster 
13 Hours eye opener of a movie, very well done. Thank you to all that had input into this movie. Everyone should see.