Can Chuck Dickens get any awards love from Ti West’s rendering of his classic A Christmas Carol? Ebenezer is out this weekend with Johnny Depp attempting a big screen comeback as the title character. The darkly comedic gothic adaptation costars Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Tramell Tillman, and Ian McKellen.
Critics are not showing their affection with 49% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 46 on Metacritic. That said, its prospects from the Academy are not dead. Costume Design is somewhat feasible. Its strongest chance lies in Makeup and Hairstyling. This is a category where Depp flicks have shown up from time to time: 1990’s Edward Scissorhands (lost to Dick Tracy), 1994’s Ed Wood (won), 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (fell short to The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End in 2007 (La Vie En Rose won), and even 2013’s box office flop The Lone Ranger which lost to Dallas Buyers Club.
I’ve yet to list Ebenezer in my top 10 possibilities in the Makeup derby though it could certainly make the shortlist. If it does so, this is an unpredictable branch so Depp could see his sixth feature in the mix. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…
After nearly a decade away from headlining roles, Johnny Depp hopes to capture the top spot at the box office with the holiday themed Ebenezer. We also have David Leitch’s heist flick How to Rob a Bank hoping to steal away some bucks. You can peruse my detailed prediction posts on the newcomers here:
My estimate has Ebenezer hitting its tracking, but not exceeding expectations at just over $20 million. That should certainly be enough to give Depp his first #1 title since 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Ti West’s take on A Christmas Carol will hope for small declines over the holidays.
Second place could be a battle between the second frames of Godzilla Minus Zero and The Cat in the Hat. The latter should see a lower sophomore frame decline than Zero which opened in line with expectations (more on that below). I’ll still say the green monster manages the runner-up position with Cat in third.
I’m not expecting How to Rob a Bank to reach $10 million and my meager prediction has it in fourth place for a subpar showing.
The top five might be rounded out by You Can See Everything as I anticipate Drummer Boy and Ramayana: Part 1 will fall further in their second outings that the acclaimed doc will in its fifth.
Another newcomer hitting multiplexes is the mid 19th-century set horror title Victorian Psycho. I skipped doing an individual post but I’ll say it makes $3 million.
Here’s how I have it shaking out:
1. Ebenezer
Predicted Gross: $21.3 million
2. Godzilla Minus Zero
Predicted Gross: $13.2 million
3. The Cat in the Hat
Predicted Gross: $12 million
4. How to Rob a Bank
Predicted Gross: $6.8 million
5. You Can See Everything
Predicted Gross: $6 million
Box Office Results (November 6-8)
Godzilla Minus Zero, the sequel to 2023’s critically heralded Godzilla Minus One, nearly tripled the opening gross of that predecessor with $30.5 million. That’s just under my $32 million projection as the kaiju tale should keep the franchise rolling along for Toho.
The animated rendering of Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat was second with $20 million, falling a tad below my $22.5 million forecast. Featuring Bill Hader voicing the title role, Warner Bros seeks minimal percentage drops as this plays over Thanksgiving and beyond.
I didn’t give near enough credit to Drummer Boy from Angel Studios. The musical drama, set during the Revolutionary War, was a surprise third at $9.4 million. I incorrectly had it outside of my top five and didn’t even do a prediction post for it.
Hindi-language epic Ramayana: Part 1 completed a top four filled with newbies, whipping up $8.9 million over the traditional weekend and $12.4 million since its Thursday bow. That’s a solid result though I had it managing more with respective estimates of $11.9 million and $17.1 million.
Fifth place went to You Can See Everything with $8.4 million compared to my $7.3 million call. The doc grew to $79 million after four weeks.
Wildwood was sixth with $7.2 million (I said $6 million) as the Laika fantasy fell only 20% in weekend #3 for a tally of $40 million.
Clayface took seventh with $6.7 million, besting my $5.4 million guesstimate. The DC Universe body horror pic stands at $56 million after three weeks.
Finally, Martin McDonagh’s Oscar contender Wild Horse Nine was eighth with $5.9 million, galloping past my $3.9 million forecast. It’ll look for awards buzz to keep it afloat.
Paramount is looking for audiences to be in the Christmas spirit, albeit Gothic holiday spirit, when Ebenezer opens November 13th. Also styled as Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol (in case you don’t know it’s based on the Charles Dickens classic), this is a departure for director Ti West. Known for the recent trilogy of X horror flicks (X, Pearl, MaXXXine), the darkly comedic fantasy marks a comeback attempt for Johnny Depp in the title role. After a series of controversies, this is Depp’s most high profile leading role in nearly a decade. Costars include Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, Tramell Tillman, and Ian McKellen.
Reportedly made for just under $40 million, that reasonable price could prove fortuitous as this looks to play throughout the holiday season. The review embargo doesn’t lift until the day before. That’s typically not a positive sign, but it could also avoid any poor word-of-mouth if critics say (you guessed it!) bah humbug.
Estimates have been trickling up past $20 million. The opportunity to exceed expectations is there with a worst case scenario probably in the late teens. I’ll say it does get to over half its budget in the initial weekend.
Ebenezer opening weekend prediction: $21.3 million
Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum are hoping to land a third place showing behind the current animation domination with Fly to the Moon this Friday. We also have the critically acclaimed horror thriller Longlegs with Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage and you can peruse my detailed prediction posts on the newbies here:
A low double digits premiere might get Moon to third after Despicable Me 4 and Inside Out 2. The former got off to a holiday weekend start in line with expectations while Inside continues its enormously financially potent run. I have Despicable dropping in the low 50s range with Out easing in the lower to mid 40s.
The worst case scenario for Moon would be fifth depending on how Longlegs debuts and A Quiet Place: Day One holds up in weekend 3. Longlegs is a wild card and it could exceed expectations. I have it just topping $10 million and that would put it in a close race with its genre competitor and perhaps even Moon. I’ll give the newcomer an edge over Quiet, but spots 3-5 will be a fascinating watch this time around.
Here’s how I envision the top 5 playing out:
1. Despicable Me 4
Predicted Gross: $36.4 million
2. Inside Out 2
Predicted Gross: $17.7 million
3. Fly Me to the Moon
Predicted Gross: $12.2 million
4. Longlegs
Predicted Gross: $11.6 million
5. A Quiet Place: Day One
Predicted Gross: $10.1 million
Box Office Results (July 5-7)
As mentioned, Illumination Entertainment performed as anticipated with Despicable Me 4. Having opened on Wednesday the 3rd, the four-quel (and sixth entry in the series when counting the Minions titles) made $75 million from Friday to Sunday and $122.6 million when counting its two extra days. That’s slightly below my respective estimates of $79.4 million and $126.3 million and certainly enough to keep this money minting franchise going.
Inside Out 2 dropped to second after three weeks atop the charts with $30.3 million, a tad under my $32.6 million take. The four-week gross is $534 million.
A Quiet Place: Day One tumbled a somewhat troubling 61% in third with $20.6 million. I was more generous at $24 million. The two-week tally is nearing nine digits with $93 million.
Ti West’s third pic in his horror trilogy MaXXXine was fourth with a so-so $6.7 million. That does top my $5.7 million forecast and it is higher than predecessors X and Pearl. This should fade quickly.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die rounded out the top five with $6.6 million (I said $6.8 million) for a five-week $177 million haul.
Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 was sixth in its sophomore outing with $5.3 million, in line with my $5.4 million prediction. The Western’s underwhelming total is $22 million.
Inside Out 2 has been responsible for animation domination and kickstarting the summer season for the past three weeks. Now it’s time for a new sequel to take over as Despicable Me 4 debuts Wednesday and looks to rule the holiday frame. We also have Ti West’s horror trilogy capper MaXXXine out Friday. My detailed prediction posts on both can be accessed here:
While not setting a franchise record like other follow-ups lately, I have Despicable Me 4 from Illumination Entertainment premiering in line with other entrees. That means a three-day near $80 million with over $125 million when counting Wednesday and Independence Day.
As for MaXXXine, my readers think I’m low. However, I’m struggling to see why it would debut too much higher than predecessors X and Pearl. I have it slated for a fifth place showing, but perhaps I’m not being generous enough.
Inside Out 2 will slide to second with perhaps a low to mid 40s percentage ease considering the Despicable competition. A Quiet Place: Day One may experience a 50-55% drop after its series best start (more on that below). The 4 slot (barring a MaXXXine over performance) should go to Bad Boys: Ride or Die with Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 in sixth after its so-so unveiling.
Here’s how I see it playing out:
1. Despicable Me 4
Predicted Gross: $79.4 million (Friday to Sunday); $126.3 million (Wednesday to Sunday)
2. Inside Out 2
Predicted Gross: $32.6 million
3. A Quiet Place: Day One
Predicted Gross: $24 million
4. Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Predicted Gross: $6.8 million
5. MaXXXine
Predicted Gross: $5.7 million
6. Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1
Predicted Gross: $5.4 million
Box Office Results (June 28-30)
Despite the aforementioned loud opening from A Quiet Place: Day One, Disney/Pixar ruled the roost for a third weekend with Inside Out 2. It took in $57.5 million (just below my $61.5 million prediction) for a three-week haul of $469 million. The sequel also crossed a billion bucks worldwide.
Day One was second with $52.2 million, eclipsing my estimate of $46.3 million and the $50.2 million that A Quiet Place earned back in 2018. I do think its sophomore weekend dip will be more pronounced than part 1 (which only fell by a third). Either way it’s a fine result for a franchise that looks to keep chugging along.
The news wasn’t as good for Kevin Costner as his Western epic Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 lassoed $11 million in third compared to my $14.8 million projection. Reportedly self-funded by its star/writer/director, this is on the lower end of its range and troubling considering the rumored $100 million price tag.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die was fourth with $10.3 million (I said $11.2 million) for a four-week gross of $165 million.
Indian sci-fi tale Kalki 2898 AD was fifth with $5.2 million and I incorrectly had it outside the high five and didn’t do a forecast.
The Bikeriders plummeted 66% to sixth with $3.3 million (I was generous at $4.6 million) for a mere $16 million in ten days.
Finally, Yorgos Lanthimos’s anthology Kinds of Kindness was ninth on just under 500 screens with $1.5 million. I thought it might get a bit more with a $3.2 million call.
An homage to the adult entertainment titles and 80s slashers that created the VHS boom of that era, MaXXXine is the third of Ti West’s trilogy that includes X and Pearl from 2022. Mia Goth reprises her role from the former with a supporting cast including Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon.
Out July 5th, MaXXXine will try keeping pace with its two predecessors. In the spring of 2022, X made $4.3 million out of the gate and just shy of $12 million overall domestically. Pearl was a tad behind with a $3.1 million premiere and just over $10 million total.
These low-budget exercises have critics on their side. The RT score is 87% and, while strong, it’s the lowest of the three. Obviously the potential here is limited, but it might manage the best start to the series in mid single digits.
Ti West’s MaXXXine completes a trilogy that started with X in 2022 and continued with Pearl just a few months later that same year. Out July 5th, the pics share critical acclaim with Mia Goth getting a lot of that praise. She headlines (reprising her X role) as an adult film star with this installment set in 1985 Los Angeles. Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon are in the supporting cast.
Reviews thus far are in range with its predecessors. X had 94%, Pearl‘s was 92%, and MaXXXine is currently sporting 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. While undeniably fresh, some early chatter suggests this is the weakest of the series.
If reaction was saying this was the strongest, Goth could be in the mix for an Actress bid as an acknowledgement of her work in all three. That doesn’t appear to be realistic. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…
My posts covering actors who had an impactful 2022 continues with a new Scream Queen.
Before we get to her, I came close to giving Jamie Lee Curtis her own dedicated write-up. The OG SQ might nab a first Oscar nomination for her supporting work in Everything Everywhere All at Once and she finished up her iconic role (probably right?) as Laurie Strode in Halloween Ends.
Just as Curtis was concluding her participation in a vaunted horror franchise, 20-year-old Jenna Ortega was making her presence known in another. Some viewers first saw her on the CW series Jane the Virgin. In 2021, Ortega drew acclaim for her more grown-up performance in the HBO Max drama The Fallout. It was this year that she broke out in another genre via January’s Scream. With over $80 million in its domestic coffers, she’ll be back in March for Scream VI.
More kudos followed in March for Ti West’s exploitation homage X. Ortega played a crew member on a porn set who gets more than she bargained for out of the experience. X marked the spot for many critics with its 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Ortega’s frighteningly good ’22 went into overdrive with Netflix’s Wednesday. From Tim Burton, the blend of comedy and horror and its 8 episodes cast the actress as Wednesday Addams from the The Addams Family. Debuting last month, it shot to #1 on the streamer in over 80 countries and holds the record for most hours viewed for a series in the first week of release. In others words, it’s a phenomenon every day of the week.
Needless to say, a second season is already in the planning stages. With her Scream sequel on deck and a role in the thriller Finestkind with Ben Foster and Tommy Lee Jones coming up, Ortega should continue to make her spooky presence known. My Year Of posts will continue with another actor who started out on the CW and had a whole lot shaking on the silver screen this year…
Every place other than home is where our demented dreamer wants to be in Pearl, Ti West’s prequel to X. Whereas the predecessor was set in 1979 and paid loving homage to the grime of 1974’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, this basks in the glow of The Wizard of Oz and other Golden Age works. Shot in New Zealand back to back, X and Pearl are vastly different experiences. They do share a setting where unspeakable gore occurs.
They also share Mia Goth. Unlike in X, she inhabits the screen from open to close. You will recall her from X as the elderly tormentor of a porn flick crew shooting on her property (Goth also played a drug addled starlet from the one day shoot that ends prematurely). As just Pearl here, we see her in 1918. The Great War is raging and that’s where her husband Howard is. She’s young, vibrant, and fantasizes of being a starlet herself. Pearl resides at the farm with her no nonsense German speaking mom (Tandi Wright) and sickly father (Matthew Sunderland). Her dreams of becoming a chorus girl are played out in the barn in front of the animals and their little bleating hearts.
We know from X that Pearl’s psychological issues are likely to kick into high gear. West and Goth (who cowrote the screenplay) still manage to take us in unexpected and stimulating directions. When Pearl meets a bohemian projectionist (David Corenswet) working at the local cinema, it arouses her desire to not be in Kansas anymore. **Side note: I don’t believe this is actually set in Kansas, but it could be with all those cornrows.
While Mom vehemently disapproves, Pearl hears of an audition opportunity to join a traveling troupe. We arrive there following family squabbles that lead our title character to see her dance tryout as her only means of escape. X was an ensemble piece. Pearl is a Goth show and she wows. From that aforementioned audition to a dinner table confession with her sister-in-law (Emma Jenkins-Purro, looking as petrified as the audience), this is perhaps the trippiest lead horror performance since Toni Collette’s in fellow A24 fright fest Hereditary. You don’t wanna take your eyes off her, including during the closing credits.
While X and Pearl do indeed share that farmland, I found the latter to be more rewarding overall. The director and lead are having a ball as they inject some darkness into the Technicolor brightness. It usually feels like they are giving the best of what they have.
**Blogger’s Update (09/14): Two changes to discuss as I’ve revised my See How They Run estimate down from $4.8M to $3.2M and my Pearl estimate up from $2.4M to $3.4M. That changes the dynamic of the top five from what I discussed below.
The Viola Davis led historical action epic The Woman King, Saoirse Ronan and Sam Rockwell in the comedic murder mystery See How They Run, and Ti West’s horror prequel Pearl are the new offerings coming our way this weekend. You can peruse my detailed prediction posts on them here:
The Woman King should have no trouble debuting in first place as it’s the only pic that should top double digits. Reviews are solid and this could manage a gross close to $20 million, but I’m hedging and projecting a low teens start.
I’m not anticipating much of the other newcomers. Run has been flying under the radar. Assuming Barbarian has a typically hefty horror sophomore dip (more on its opening below), the crime caper should still manage a second place showing thought it could be awfully close.
As for Pearl, its predecessor X made $4.3 million in its March premiere. I’m thinking the prequel won’t match that. However, even if it snatches $2-3 million, that should be enough to make top five.
Here’s how I see this rather ho-hum mid-September frame playing out:
1. The Woman King
Predicted Gross: $14.7 million
2. Barbarian
Predicted Gross: $5 million
3. Pearl
Predicted Gross: $3.4 million
4. See How They Run
Predicted Gross: $3.2 million
5. Bullet Train
Predicted Gross: $2.3 million
Box Office Results (September 9-11)
Critics enjoyed Barbarian more than audiences though the scary movie landed on the higher end of its range. It opened in first with $10.5 million and that’s ahead of my $7.1 million prediction. The C+ Cinemascore grade doesn’t approach that 92% RT score. Note that its opening weekend matches it reported budget. This’ll be a profitable little venture for 20th Century Studios.
The Indian adventure Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva had a second place opening with $4.5 million, managing to top my $3.2 million estimate. I would expect the debut to be front loaded and for it to drop out of the top five this weekend.
Bullet Train was third with $3.3 million (I said $3.4 million) as it inches closer to nine figures with $92 million.
Top Gun: Maverick (after rising back to first place over Labor Day) was fourth with $3.1 million, under my $4.2 million take. The gargantuan gross is $705 million.
The Invitation rounded out the top five and I incorrectly didn’t have it there. With $2.6 million, it’s up to $18 million after three weeks.
DC League of Super-Pets was sixth with $2.6 million (I went with $3 million) to bring its tally to $85 million.
