Oscar Predictions: Pressure

Recounting the meteorological challenges leading up to the D-Day invasion, Pressure arrives in multiplexes this weekend from director Anthony Maras. Andrew Scott stars as Scottish Captain James Stagg with Brendan Fraser portraying General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Kerry Condon, Chris Messina, and Damian Lewis also provide support.

The film’s footprint is fairly small for a summer feature with a reported theater count of around 1500. Plenty of reviews say it’s worth the watch with 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and a more subdued 68 on Metacritic. This is the type of project that might normally hit the festival circuit or be a fall release. The fact that it’s neither is a signal that StudioCanal is unlikely to push this in an awards campaign. Despite some nice notices for Scott (and others saying Fraser is miscast), don’t forecast it for the Academy’s radar. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Pressure Box Office Prediction

StudioCanal’s Pressure hopes to serve as counterprogramming for adult filmgoers when it lands in theaters May 29th. Focused on the lead-up to D-Day, the World War II drama stars Andrew Scott as Captain James Stagg and Brendan Fraser as then General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The supporting cast includes Kerry Condon, Chris Messina, and Damian Lewis.

I’m a little surprised the distributor didn’t opt to open this over the Memorial Day weekend. Perhaps they thought competition was too much. It is reported that the screen count is approximately 1800 next weekend and that’s low for a summer release.

Last year’s Nuremberg debuted on around 1800 and made just shy of $4 million out of the gate. That might be Pressure‘s initial frame is pointed and I’ll give it a bit over.

Pressure opening weekend prediction: $4.9 million

For my Backrooms prediction, click here:

For my The Breadwinner prediction, click here:

Hotel Mumbai Box Office Prediction

The true life action thriller Hotel Mumbai expands nationwide this weekend after its limited engagement over this past one. Recounting the 2008 Taj Mahal Palace Hotel terror attacks in India, the film marks the directorial debut of Anthony Maras. Dev Patel and Armie Hammer headline with costars including Anupam Kher and Jason Isaacs.

Mumbai was originally screened at the Toronto Film Festival last fall to mostly positive reviews. It stands at 77% on Rotten Tomatoes. Over the weekend, it managed a per theater average of over $20,000 on four screens.

That’s pretty decent, but that average should dip significantly as it’s scheduled to hit about 800 this weekend. The number is lower than other new wide releases like Unplanned and The Beach Bum. However, Mumbai could top the grosses of those titles – making it the biggest earning newcomer that isn’t named Dumbo.

Hotel Mumbai opening weekend prediction: $3.4 million

For my Dumbo prediction, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2019/03/20/dumbo-box-office-prediction/

For my Unplanned prediction, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2019/03/24/unplanned-box-office-prediction/

For my The Beach Bum prediction, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2019/03/24/the-beach-bum-box-office-prediction/