Tag: Barbie

A Killer Development in Best Actress

Last year, the Best Supporting Actress race was upended when it was announced that Michelle Williams of Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans would be campaigned for in the lead Actress competition. Williams was seen as the strong frontrunner in the supporting field. Her placement in the more crowded Actress derby took her from a predicted winner to a question mark as to whether she’d even make the final five. She did, but lost to Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All at Once and she was never looked at as a threat to win. Her omission from the supporting category made it a wide open race where Jamie Lee Curtis (also from Everything Everywhere) eventually prevailed.

And now… history repeats itself. In each one of my predictions for the 96th Academy Awards this year, I have had Lily Gladstone listed #1 in Supporting Actress for Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Ever since it premiered at Cannes (before its October 20th domestic bow), reviews have indicated she’s a standout performance among heavy hitters like Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Jesse Plemons. Like Williams, she was a heavy favorite for supporting. And just like Williams, there’s now an announcement that Gladstone will vie for Best Actress.

What’s it mean? Let’s start with Supporting Actress. With Gladstone out, it is now an uncertain race with no frontrunner. One could emerge when The Color Purple premieres with either Danielle Brooks (who I’ve consistently had ranked second) or Taraji P. Henson (who’s often been third). It potentially opens the door for Emily Blunt to not only nab her first nom for Oppenheimer, but maybe make it to the stage. It also increases the chances for hopefuls like Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers), Viola Davis (Air), Jodie Foster (Nyad), Sandra Hüller (The Zone of Interest), or Penelope Cruz (Ferrari) to get in.

As for Best Actress, I believe Gladstone ends up in the grouping. Yet she might not be the automatic favorite like she was in supporting. Emma Stone (Poor Things) and Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall) are serious competitors. Fantasia Barrino from The Color Purple could be as well. And there’s Carey Mulligan (Maestro), Margot Robbie (Barbie), Greta Lee (Past Lives), Annette Bening (Nyad), Natalie Portman (May December), and Cailee Spaeney (Priscilla) to consider. In other words (like Williams), Gladstone has made her road to gold tougher though still achievable.

When I update my Oscar predictions this weekend, you can expect to see Gladstone in the Actress five. Whether she’s #1 like she’s been in supporting is very much still in question.

Oscars 2023: The State of the Best Picture Race (September 18th)

My closer looks at six high profile races for the 96th Academy Awards culminates with, of course, Best Picture. If you missed my posts over the last few days on the four acting derbies and Best Director, you can access them here:

Oscars 2023: The State of the Best Director Race (September 17th Edition)
Oscars 2023: The State of the Best Actress Race (September 14th)
Oscars 2023: The State of the Best Actor Race (September 12th)
Oscars 2023: The State of the Supporting Actress Race (September 10th)
Oscars 2023: The State of the Supporting Actor Race (September 7th)

Since my last look at the BP race on August 28th, we have experienced the Venice, Toronto, and Telluride Film Festivals. They have provided lots of information as to whether certain contenders are legit or not so much.

That said, it has not changed my top 2 selections of Killers of the Flower Moon and Oppenheimer. I have, on the other hand, switched Oppenheimer to first place with Moon in the runner-up spot.

The movie that rose the most of my predicted group is Poor Things, which won the Venice Film Festival and positioned itself as a serious threat to take the top prize. It vaults six spots from 9th to 3rd.

Then there’s American Fiction. Just yesterday, it received the People’s Choice Awards at Toronto. As I discussed yesterday on the blog, 14 of the past 15 winners of that honor ended up nabbing a BP nom. Fiction is still a coin toss in my view. At the moment, I’m including it in the selected ten. Same goes for The Holdovers which was first runner-up for People’s Choice. Those TIFF favorites are in at the expense of The Zone of Interest and Air.

I am winnowing the possible nominees from 25 to 15 and here’s where I have the BP standings post festivals:

Predicted Nominees

1. Oppenheimer (Previous Ranking: 2) (+1)

2. Killers of the Flower Moon (PR: 1) (-1)

3. Poor Things (PR: 9) (+6)

4. Past Lives (PR: 3) (-1)

5. Barbie (PR: 8) (+3)

6. Anatomy of a Fall (PR: 7) (+1)

7. The Color Purple (PR: 4) (-3)

8. The Holdovers (PR: 12) (+4)

9. Maestro (PR: 5) (-4)

10. American Fiction (PR: Not Ranked)

Other Possibilities:

11. The Zone of Interest (PR: 6) (-5)

12. Air (PR: 10) (-2)

13. Origin (PR: 24) (+11)

14. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (PR: 13) (-1)

15. Napoleon (PR: 14) (-1)

Dropped Out:

Saltburn

Ferrari

The Killer

May December

Asteroid City

One Life

Next Goal Wins

Rustin

The Nickel Boys

Dumb Money

The Book of Clarence

September 22-24 Box Office Predictions

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:

Expend4bles Box Office Prediction

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…

Oscars 2023: The State of the Best Director Race (September 17th Edition)

My closer look at six high profile races for the 96th Academy Awards arrives at Best Director. If you missed my posts covering the four acting derbies, you can peruse them here:

Oscars 2023: The State of the Best Actress Race (September 14th)
Oscars 2023: The State of the Best Actor Race (September 12th)
Oscars 2023: The State of the Supporting Actress Race (September 10th)
Oscars 2023: The State of the Supporting Actor Race (September 7th)

As I have with those categories, I am winnowing the field of my predicted nominees from 15 possibilities to 10. At the moment, I believe Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer) and Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon) are guaranteed slots with Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things) darn close to wrapping up one himself.

After that, there are plenty of hopefuls vying for the two spots. I do believe two females could populate them via some combo of Celine Song (Past Lives), Greta Gerwig (Barbie), Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall), and Ana DuVernay (Origin).

We also have Bradley Cooper (Maestro), Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest), and Alexander Payne (The Holdovers) as strong possibilities. Perhaps even Cord Jefferson (director of freshly minted Toronto Film Festival People Choice’s winner American Fiction) could make a run.

And there’s the unseen contenders in Blitz Bazawule (The Color Purple) and Ridley Scott (Napoleon).

Lots to ponder and there are now three new players in my final quintet compared to my previous predictions on August 28th. Here’s where I have the race standing at the moment:

Predicted Nominees

1. Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer (Previous Ranking: 2) (+1)

2. Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon (PR: 1) (-1)

3. Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things (PR: 9) (+6)

4. Greta Gerwig, Barbie (PR: 7) (+3)

5. Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall (PR: 6) (+1)

Other Possibilities:

6. Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest (PR: 5) (-1)

7. Alexander Payne, The Holdovers (PR: 12) (+5)

8. Celine Song, Past Lives (PR: 3) (-5)

9. Bradley Cooper, Maestro (PR: 5) (-4)

10. Blitz Bazawule, The Color Purple (PR: 8) (-2)

Dropped Out:

Emerald Fennell, Saltburn

Ridley Scott, Napoleon

Michael Mann, Ferrari

David Fincher, The Killer

Wes Anderson, Asteroid City

Best Picture is up next!

Oscars 2023: The State of the Best Actress Race (September 14th)

My closer looks at six of the major Oscar categories turns to Best Actress. If you missed my posts covering the other three acting derbies, you can access them right here:

Oscars 2023: The State of the Best Actor Race (September 12th)
Oscars 2023: The State of the Supporting Actress Race (September 10th)
Oscars 2023: The State of the Supporting Actor Race (September 7th)

The Venice, Telluride, and Toronto Film Festivals have made a couple of things clearer, as they usually do. While reviews for her were solid, I think Kate Winslet in Lee is now a long shot for inclusion in the final five. On the other hand, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in Origin is more of a possibility than I would’ve originally thought. I do, however, think the film will need to make its mark elsewhere and I’m a little skeptical at the moment.

In Venice, the Best Actress prize went to Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla and that certainly helps her stock. I’m not prepared to put her into the final quintet. The soft frontrunner is probably Emma Stone in the rapturously received Poor Things. It could put her in line to take this race seven years after her victory in La La Land. She skyrockets to fifth to first.

Other strong hopefuls are Sandra Hüller for Anatomy of a Fall, Carey Mulligan in Maestro, Natalie Portman in May December, and Greta Lee for Past Lives. Annette Bening could find herself in the mix as Nyad. An “overdue for a win” narrative could give her statue, but I could also see her being left out completely.

Then there’s Margot Robbie who is, of course, headlining 2023’s largest hit with Barbie. Some might say there’s no way she gets left out. I would remind people about Tom Cruise’s non-nomination for Top Gun: Maverick. Yet she could absolutely end up making the cut.

I’ve included Fantasia Barrino (The Color Purple) in the quintet since I began predicting months ago. Her work is the only one mentioned here still unseen. She clings to the five spot for now.

As with the other acting races, I’m winnowing the field from 15 possibilities to 10 and here’s how I see it right now:

Predicted Nominees:

1. Emma Stone, Poor Things (PR: 5) (+4)

2. Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall (PR: 1) (-1)

3. Carey Mulligan, Maestro (PR: 2) (-3)

4. Greta Lee, Past Lives (PR: 3) (-1)

5. Fantasia Barrino, The Color Purple (PR: 4) (-1)

Other Possibilities:

6. Margot Robbie, Barbie (PR: 7) (+1)

7. Annette Bening, Nyad (PR: 6) (-1)

8. Cailee Spaeny, Priscilla (PR: 11) (+3)

9. Natalie Portman, May December (PR: 8) (-1)

10. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Origin (PR: 12) (+2)

Dropped Out:

Kate Winslet, Lee

Jessica Lange, Long Day’s Journey Into Night

Regina King, Shirley

Teyana Taylor, A Thousand and One

Saoirse Ronan, Foe

Best Director is up next!

September 15-17 Box Office Predictions

Sequel heavy September chugs along this weekend as Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice continues his Hercule Poirot series and seeks a #1 start. You can peruse my detailed prediction post on it here:

A Haunting in Venice Box Office Prediction

The follow-up to 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express and last year’s Death on the Nile is actually receiving some of the best reviews of the trio. I suspect it may manage to top what Nile did while only reaching about half of what Express grossed out of the gate.

After a solid if unspectacular start, The Nun II may see a high 60s plummet that’s fairly normal for its genre. That would mean a second place showing barely in the double digits.

Holdover threequels The Equalizer 3 and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 will likely populate the 3-4 slots with drops in the low to mid 40s while Barbie should round out the top five. I figure the year’s biggest hit will remain in the high five as I look for Jawan to have a hefty decline after its impressive premiere (more on that below).

Here’s how I envision that top five:

1. A Haunting in Venice

Predicted Gross: $14.6 million

2. The Nun II

Predicted Gross: $10.9 million

3. The Equalizer 3

Predicted Gross: $7 million

4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

Predicted Gross: $5.9 million

5. Barbie

Predicted Gross: $3.6 million

Box Office Results (September 8-10)

The Nun II didn’t come anywhere near the franchise Conjuring Universe peak $53 million that its predecessor made in 2018. It still scared up a respectable $32.6 million, under my $38.7 million prognosis.

The Equalizer 3 tumbled in the mid 60s during its sophomore frame with $12 million, below my $15.4 million call. The two-week total is $61 million as it hopes to hit $100 million like parts 1 and 2. It’s a legit question mark as to whether it gets there.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 debuted in line with my expectations with a meh $10 million (I said $10.3 million). That is slightly better than other estimates though it’s well under the $16 million of part 2 from 2016.

Acclaimed Hindi action flick Jawan admittedly was not on my radar screen like it should’ve been. The $6.1 million haul put it in fourth place with the second strongest per theater average after The Nun II.

Barbie rounded out the top five with $5.7 million (I went with $6.4 million) as its eight week total rose to a massive $620 million.

I incorrectly had Blue Beetle in the top five, but it was sixth with $3.8 million. I was right on pace with $3.9 million. The DCU disappointment made $63 million in four weeks.

And that does it for now, folks! Until next time…

Oscars 2023: The State of the Supporting Actress Race (September 10th)

My deeper dives into big races at the Oscars arrives at Supporting Actress. If you didn’t catch my take on where Supporting Actor, you can access it here:

Oscars 2023: The State of the Supporting Actor Race (September 7th)

The Telluride and Venice and ongoing Toronto Film Festivals have helped shed some light on various hopefuls. Penelope Cruz helped herself with the Ferrari bow in Venice. Jodie Comer could be a factor for The Bikeriders (though she could also be campaigned for in lead).

One thing remains the same and has since Cannes. Lily Gladstone’s performance in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon looks like a serious frontrunner. Obviously this could change as more pictures screen. The Color Purple, for example, has plenty of possibilities (Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey).

We have gotten some news during festival season in that Sandra Hüller will be showcased here for The Zone of Interest. However, she’s more likely to make the Actress cut for Anatomy of a Fall.

At this stage of the predicting game, I’m shortening my possible nominees from 15 to 10. Here’s my snapshot of where I believe we are now:

Predicted Nominees:

1. Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon (Previous Ranking: 1) (Even)

2. Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple (PR: 2) (E)

3. Taraji P. Henson, The Color Purple (PR: 3) (E)

4. Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers (PR: 6) (+2)

5. Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer (PR: 4) (-1)

Other Possibilities:

6. Viola Davis, Air (PR: 5) (-1)

7. Penelope Cruz, Ferrari (PR: 12) (+5)

8. Jodie Foster, Nyad (PR: 10) (+2)

9. Julianne Moore, May December (PR: 8) (-1)

10. Jodie Comer, The Bikeriders (PR: Not Ranked)

Dropped Out:

Rosamund Pike, Saltburn

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, The Nickel Boys

Helena Bonham-Carter, One Life

Claire Foy, All of Us Strangers

Vanessa Kirby, Napoleon

Niecy Nash-Betts, Origin

Best Actor is up next!

Oscars 2023: The State of the Supporting Actor Race (September 7th)

Beginning today, I’m taking a deeper dive into the six major categories for the 96th Academy Awards slated for March 2024. Ardent readers of this here blog know that I typically update my predictions every 10-14 days.

Yet there’s been some major developments in the past week and there will be more in the week or so to come. The Telluride Film Festival just happened. Venice is ongoing and Toronto starts tonight. In other words, a whole bunch of Oscar hopefuls have just screened or are about to screen.

So for these closer looks at the four acting derbies, Best Director, and Best Picture – I’m obviously keeping all that in mind with the heavy buzz emanating from Colorado, Italy, and Ontario.

We begin with Supporting Actor. In this competition, 3 of the biggest contenders saw their movies released (or screen) prior to the September trio of festivals. Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer) and Ryan Gosling (Barbie) are, of course, part of the Barbenheimer phenomenon. Both appear highly likely to be nominated. I could see a narrative develop where Downey Jr. is honored for his body of work (in addition to his strong work in the film itself) and ends up taking the trophy. This would mark his third nom after 1992’s Chaplin and 2008’s Tropic Thunder. He’s currently my #1.

A similar victory could happen with Robert De Niro for Killers of the Flower Moon (which first screened at Cannes in May). The acting legend is a two-time Oscar winner, but it’s been 43 years since he took the lead prize for Raging Bull. You have go back to 49 years for his first statue in Supporting for The Godfather Part II. A Downey Jr. or De Niro statue could be contingent on which of their movies wins BP (if one of them does). The momentum from the top prize could dwindle down to either one of them.

Before its rapturous unveiling at Venice, there was uncertainty as to whether Mark Ruffalo or Willem Dafoe would be Fox Searchlight’s strongest contender for Poor Things. The answer might be both. Ruffalo could have the slight edge, but both could make the dance. That wouldn’t be all that surprising. Three of the past four Supporting Actor quintets have seen double nominees from the same feature – The Irishman in 2019 for Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, The Power of the Dog in 2021 for Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee, and last year for The Banshees of Inisherin with Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan. It’s worth mentioning that none of the six nominees took the prize.

Speaking of double nominees, it isn’t out of the question that the aforementioned Plemons could materialize for Flower Moon. Same goes for Matt Damon in Oppenheimer. I suspect they ultimately don’t make it.

Past Lives is an acclaimed drama that seems destined for a BP spot. John Magaro is sure to be placed here and he could absolutely get into the final five. There is a question as to whether his costar Teo Yoo is campaigned for in lead or here. I’ve got him in the former as of now.

If Air overperforms, I wouldn’t totally discount Ben Affleck (he’s never had an acting mention). Glenn Howerton in BlackBerry has drawn plenty of raves. He’ll win some critics prizes and could be a trendy pick for inclusion. Charles Melton was singled out for his work alongside Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore at Cannes.

Dominic Sessa could see himself in for The Holdovers (especially if Alexander Payne dramedy’s cast mates Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph make their categories).

The Maestro acting campaigns should go to Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper in lead and not Matt Bomer. Saltburn reactions suggest any attention will go to star Barry Keoghan and not Richard E. Grant.

And there are unseen hopefuls in the wings. Colman Domingo in The Color Purple immediately comes to mind. His nom might not happen because he’s almost surely going to make the lead Actor’s five with Rustin.

So where’s that leave us? I’m shortening my possible nominees from 15 to 10 and here’s my snapshot of the race right now!

Predicted Nominees

1. Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer (Previous Ranking: 1) (Even)

2. Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon (PR: 2) (E)

3. Ryan Gosling, Barbie (PR: 3) (E)

4. Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things (PR: Not Ranked)

5. John Magaro, Past Lives (PR: 4) (-1)

Other Possibilities:

6. Willem Dafoe, Poor Things (PR: 6) (E)

7. Charles Melton, May December (PR: 5) (-2)

8. Colman Domingo, The Color Purple (PR: 7) (-1)

9. Glenn Howerton, BlackBerry (PR: 8) (-1)

10. Dominic Sessa, The Holdovers (PR: 9) (-1)

Dropped Out:

Jesse Plemons, Killers of the Flower Moon

Ben Affleck, Air

Matt Bomer, Maestro

Matt Damon, Oppenheimer

Richard E. Grant, Saltburn

Glynn Turman, Rustin

Supporting Actress is up next!

September 8-10 Box Office Predictions

A sequel filled September continues with The Nun II looking to conjure up big money while My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 hopes to post comparable grosses to its 2016 predecessor. You can peruse my detailed prediction posts on them here:

The Nun II Box Office Prediction
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Box Office Prediction

In 2018, The Nun surprisingly achieved the largest premiere in the Conjuring Universe (a record that still stands) at $53 million. While I don’t expect the follow-up to reach that level, a solid high 30s start is my call.

As for Greek Wedding, the first sequel didn’t come close to matching what the smash 2002 original accomplished. I see the numbers continuing to dwindle with the third iteration and I have it barely topping $10 million. That should put #3 in third.

Current champ The Equalizer 3 should fall to second after a robust Labor Day weekend haul (more on that below). A mid 50s decline should put it in the low to mid teens.

Barbie looks to land in the four spot while Oppenheimer and Blue Beetle could duke it out for fifth. I’ve got them both just under $4 million.

Here’s how I envision the top six:

1. The Nun II

Predicted Gross: $38.7 million

2. The Equalizer 3

Predicted Gross: $15.4 million

3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

Predicted Gross: $10.3 million

4. Barbie

Predicted Gross: $6.4 million

5. Blue Beetle

Predicted Gross: $3.9 million

6. Oppenheimer

Predicted Gross: $3.9 million

Box Office Results (September 1-4)

Denzel Washington is quite consistent in his sole franchise as audiences turned up for The Equalizer 3. Reportedly the final entry in the violent series, it earned the second best Labor Day weekend of all time at $42.8 million. That edges my call of $39.2 million. The three-day gross of $34.6 million is right on target with its two predecessors.

Barbie was second with $13.4 million over the long frame. I was generous (a theme for the weekend) at $16.2 million. The highest grossing movie of 2023 sits at $612 million domestically.

Blue Beetle was third with $9.4 million (I said $9.5 million!) as the DCU disappointment has made $58 million after three weeks.

Gran Turismo, despite an A Cinemascore, plummeted from 1st to 4th in its sophomore outing. The racing flick stalled at $8.7 million, well under my $12.1 million take for just $30 million thus far.

Oppenheimer rounded out the top five at $7.6 million (I went with $9.1 million) for a mega $310 million tally.

Finally, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem crossed the nine digit mark. The animated reboot made $6.2 million in sixth (I said more with $8.4 million) for $107 million overall.

And that does it for now, folks! Until next time…

September 1-4 Box Office Predictions

Denzel Washington hopes for a fruitful holiday weekend at the box office with The Equalizer 3. It aims to have the second best Labor Day debut of all time as the only newcomer of the frame. You can peruse my detailed prediction post on it here:

The Equalizer 3 Box Office Prediction

The third feature in the action trilogy should have little trouble achieving that 2nd best mark. Labor Day weekend is normally one where studios avoid breaking out the big guns. In 2021, Marvel ignored that tradition with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and its $94 million beginning. The runner-up opening belongs to 2007’s Halloween remake at $30 million and I’ve got Equalizer a shade under $40 million.

With an extra day of grosses, the weekend should see meager declines and even some increases for holdovers. I believe this should allow Barbie to stay put in second for the third week in a row while current champ Gran Turismo drops to third. The four to six slots should be a combination of Blue Beetle, Oppenheimer, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. I have that trio separated by just over a million so their positions could fluctuate.

Here’s how I envision that top six and keep in mind these estimates are for the four-day:

1. The Equalizer 3

Predicted Gross: $39.2 million

2. Barbie

Predicted Gross: $16.2 million

3. Gran Turismo

Predicted Gross: $12.1 million

4. Blue Beetle

Predicted Gross: $9.5 million

5. Oppenheimer

Predicted Gross: $9.1 million

6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Predicted Gross: $8.4 million

Box Office Results (August 25-27)

National Cinema Day on Sunday helped some pics post small declines, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Playstation based Gran Turismo from a so-so start. The racing drama took in $17.4 million, a tad below my $19.3 million projection. That’s good enough for first, but hardly provides Sony with bragging rights. With an A Cinemascore, it’ll hope for legs over Labor Day and could be successful as I only have it falling around 15%.

Barbie was second with $15.1 million compared to my $16.5 million take. The year’s largest hit is up to $592 million in six weeks.

Blue Beetle went from 1st to 3rd with $12.1 million, a shade under my $13.2 million prediction. The DCU flop stands at only $45 million after ten days.

Oppenheimer was fourth with $8.2 million (I said $8.1 million) as the epic has amassed $299 million thus far.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem rounded out the top five with $7.2 million, in range with my $6.8 million estimate. The four-week total is $99 million.

Finally, two newcomers failed to find a crowd. Liam Neeson’s Retribution opened in line with the star’s recent action flicks with $3.5 million for eighth position. That is better than my call of $2.4 million. The nine slot went to sports drama The Hill with $2.3 million as it couldn’t climb to my $3.3 million guesstimate.

That does it for now, folks! Catch my podcast by searching Movies at the Speed of Speculation wherever you prefer to stream. Until next time…