Oscar Predictions: The Magic Faraway Tree

Based on Enid Blyton’s fantasy children’s books that started hitting bookshelves nearly 90 years ago, The Magic Faraway Tree made its way to British theaters in March and domestic venues over the weekend. Ben Gregor directs with a cast including Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nonso Anozie, Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Gunning, Jennifer Saunders, and Rebecca Ferguson.

The film has performed well enough in the U.K. that sequels are planned. However, in the U.S., audiences stayed far away from it with a teensy $1.3 million gross out of the gate. The per-theater average was just over $800. Reviews are pretty decent if not impressive with 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 59 on Metacritic. This is not an Oscar contender anywhere, but I will note that BAFTA could nominate it in their Best Children’s & Family Film race. My Oscar Prediction (or in this case BAFTA) posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Goat

Sony is looking for Goat to bring in herds of families to multiplexes this weekend. The animated sports comedy from director Tyree Dillihay features an all-star voice cast including Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Aaron Pierre, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour, Nick Kroll, Jenifer Lewis, Patton Oswalt, Jelly Roll, Jennifer Hudson, Sherry Cola, Eduardo Franco, Andrew Santino, Bobby Lee, and actual all-star Stephen Curry.

While reviews aren’t great, they certainly aren’t baaaaaad (I’m sorry). Rotten Tomatoes is at 82% while Metacritic (as it often is) shows a more telling 59 number. In my estimation, Best Animated Feature could be a stretch. However, we don’t know at this early juncture how strong the race will be. Kris Bowers, an Original Score nominee for The Wild Robot, is behind the music here. Early critical reaction doesn’t indicate he’ll get a second nod. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Goat Box Office Prediction

Sony Pictures Animation hopes for Goat to be golden when it opens over President’s Day weekend. The sports comedy is directed by Tyree Dillihay with Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin voicing the title creature who dreams of playing pro ball. Other performers providing behind the mic contributions include Gabrielle Union, real life ball champ Stephen Curry, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour, Jenifer Lewis, Aaron Pierre, Andrew Santino, Jelly Roll, and Jennifer Hudson.

Goat takes place over the NBA All-Star weekend and it has been promoted heavily on ESPN during games. The studio is hoping parents take their kiddos before the nighttime activities. It could be a decent marketing move considering it’s the sole pic seeking families in a weekend with new material catering to grown-ups.

I’m thinking that means a Friday to Sunday gross in the mid 20s with around $30 million over the four-day.

Goat opening weekend prediction: $26.7 million (Friday to Sunday); $30.4 million (Friday to Monday)

For my Wuthering Heights prediction, click here:

For my Crime 101 prediction, click here:

For my Cold Storage prediction, click here:

For my Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die prediction, click here: