Jason Statham and Sylvester Stallone look to top the charts as Expend4bles, the fourth entry in the action franchise, is the only new wide release this weekend. You can peruse my detailed prediction post on it here:
I have it just under the teens and that’s a far cry from the mid 30s/high 20s premieres that parts 1 and 2 achieved. It’s also below the $15.8 million that The Expendables 3 made in 2014. That said, given the weak box office frame happening, it should be enough for a #1 debut.
Just as the competition for #1 was a photo finish this past weekend (more on that below), The Nun II and A Haunting in Venice should duke it out for the runner-up spot.
Nos. 4 and 5 should go to holdover threequels The Equalizer 3 and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. However, Barbie might manage to stay fifth depending on the Greek drop and the fact that it’s playing on IMAX screens this weekend.
Here’s how I think it’ll shake out from 1-6:
1. Expend4bles
Predicted Gross: $12.8 million
2. The Nun II
Predicted Gross: $7.5 million
3. A Haunting in Venice
Predicted Gross: $7.2 million
4. The Equalizer 3
Predicted Gross: $4.9 million
5. Barbie
Predicted Gross: $3.1 million
6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
Predicted Gross: $2.6 million
Box Office Results (September 15-17)
In a minor upset, The Nun II managed to remain #1 for a second weekend. That upends the conventional wisdom that A Haunting in Venice would claim the top slot. With a better than expected 55% fall (decent for the horror genre), The Nun II made $14.5 million compared to my $10.9 million projection. The scary sequel has made $56 million in two weeks.
A Haunting in Venice, the third Kenneth Branagh entry in his Hercule Poirot series, was a close second with $14.2 million. That’s right on track with my $14.6 million take. Considering last year’s Death on the Nile struggled as well, I wouldn’t anticipate seeing the mustachioed detective for a fourth mystery.
The Equalizer 3 was third with $7.2 million, in line with my $7 million call. Denzel Washington’s alleged capper to his franchise has made $73 million in three weeks.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 saw a sophomore frame decline above 50% with $4.7 million (I was more generous at $5.9 million). Total is just $18 million.
Barbie rounded out the top five with $3.8 million (I said $3.6 million) to bring its nine-week haul to $625 million.
And that does it for now, folks! Until next time…
All My Life... I Wanted To Be A Blogster 
For Barbie, did you factor in the “Barbie: The IMAX Experience” showings starting this Friday? Even if IMAX Barbie tickets sales are not massive, it doesn’t take nearly as many tickets to achieve a noticeable Barbie bump given the premium pricing. Check out pre-sales at venues like AMC Burbank 16 for Friday PM shows (over 150 tickets pre-sold at $23.99/adult, $20.99/children).
that’s a good point! I may need to make an adjustment