The Equalizer 3 Box Office Prediction

On September 1st, Denzel Washington is back in theaters showcasing his particular set of violent skills in The Equalizer 3. Antoine Fuqua, who collaborated with the lead on the first two pics as well as Training Day and The Magnificent Seven, directs. Costars include Dakota Fanning (reuniting with Washington nearly 20 years after Man on Fire), Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Sonia Ammar, and Remo Girone.

The Italian set action threequel is billed as the finale of the trilogy that began in 2014. Originally based on the stylish 1980s TV show with Edward Woodard, part one generated $34 million in its debut and $101 million overall domestically. The 2018 follow-up posted very similar earnings with a $35 million start and $102 million total.

I suspect that consistency will continue the third time. It has the advantage of premiering over the four-day Labor Day frame with no newcomers out and most holdovers fading. From Friday to Monday, a gross topping $40 million is certainly achievable. I’ll put it a bit under.

The Equalizer 3 opening weekend prediction: $39.2 million (Friday to Monday estimate)

The Equalizer 2 Box Office Prediction

Denzel Washington is back in action mode when The Equalizer 2 is released next weekend. In his decades long career filled with numerous hits, this is actually the first ever sequel for the star. Antoine Fuqua is back directing and it’s the fourth collaboration between two after 2001’s Training Day (for which Washington won an Oscar), 2014’s The Equalizer, and 2016’s The Magnificent Seven. Costars include Melissa Leo, Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, and Bill Pullman.

When it comes to the action genre, few actors are as bankable as Denzel. The first Equalizer, which is based quite loosely a 1980s TV show starring Edward Woodward, made $34.1 million for its start and ended up at $101 million overall domestically. Two years later, The Magnificent Seven took in $34.7 million out of the gate and $93 million total. Nearly all of Washington’s titles in the genre in the past decade or so have achieved mid 20s or more in their premieres.

While The Equalizer 2 may face a challenge scoring a #1 opening over a very different follow-up (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), a high 20s to possibly low 30s roll out seems quite achievable.

The Equalizer 2 opening weekend prediction: $26.8 million

For my Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again prediction, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2018/07/10/mamma-mia-here-we-go-again-box-office-prediction/

For my Unfriended: Dark Web prediction, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2018/07/11/unfriended-dark-web-box-office-prediction/