Blogger’s Note (01/05): The film’s victory for Best Drama at the Golden Globes is pushing my estimate up… from $26.8 million to $31.8 million
1917 blasts onto screens next weekend and hopes to generate its awards buzz into a rousing first frame at multiplexes. The World War I epic comes from Sam Mendes, Oscar winning director of American Beauty who’s been busy with the Bond franchise lately with Skyfall and Spectre. Cast members include George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Critics have been on its side as 1917 currently sports a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score. The film is expected to nab several Oscar nods (including possibly Picture and Director and tech nods) on the Monday following its wide release. In the limited rollout over the holidays, it held a sturdy per theater average of over $50,000.
War movies have done well in January over the past few years. The high water mark is American Sniper, which made nearly $90 million out of the gate five years ago. This isn’t anticipated to be anywhere near that, but there are other decent comps to consider. In 2013, Zero Dark Thirty took in $24 million in its expansion.
This is right in the range where I see 1917 landing in the mid 20s (SEE BLOGGER’S NOTE ABOVE).
1917 opening weekend prediction: $31.8 million
For my Just Mercy prediction, click here:
https://toddmthatcher.com/2020/01/01/just-mercy-box-office-prediction/
For my Like a Boss prediction, click here:
https://toddmthatcher.com/2020/01/01/like-a-boss-box-office-prediction/
For my Underwater prediction, click here:
https://toddmthatcher.com/2020/01/02/underwater-box-office-prediction/