Notable Openings This Weekend: A Million Ways to Die in the West, Maleficent
Boy, we got a crowded one this weekend. While it may not be Memorial Day, the summer movie season is in full swing now. Not only do we have an iconic villainess being given her first live action treatment, and a zany western from one of the biggest names in comedy today, but X-Men: Days of Future Past will be a strong hold over as well. In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if X-Men made a surprise return to #1, which is unheard of in the summer. Will I get too emotional about X-Men, causing me to make a dumb prediction? Let’s find out.
We’ll start with the big competition, Maleficent. All signs point to a big opening weekend. She’s a vintage Disney character being played by one of the biggest names in Hollywood, Angelina Jolie. The visual style looks very Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland, and we all know how that turned out. Reviews haven’t been great, and the trailers look pretty putrid, but that won’t stop Maleficent from making a good chunk of change, although a huge drop off next week is coming.
If you were to ask me a few months ago whether A Million Ways to Die in the West could make Ted like money, I would have said “yes.” Seth MacFarlane is definitely a known commodity, and the cast brings an array of big talent, including Mr. Box Office himself, Liam Neeson. While the trailers haven’t been bad, they’ve just been okay, and reviews are only mediocre right now. Even though the film is obviously selling “From the guy who brought you Ted,” Ted was still a different animal, quite literally. The trailers sold the movie perfectly, and the idea of a foul-mouthed teddy bear seemed very appealing. I’m surprised Hollywood hasn’t been green lighting more stuff like Ted, but that’s a conversation for another day. Bottom-line: A Million Ways to Die in the West will do fine, but it’s not getting Ted numbers.
How Will It All Break Down…
As much as I want X-Men to pull off a monster upset and remain #1, it’s not happening. I do think it holds over well though, and actually ekes out MacFarlane for a tight second place finish.
TOP 5 BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS
1) Maleficent — $60 Million
2) X-Men: Days of Future Past — $48 Million
3) A Million Ways to Die in the West — $45 Million
4) Godzilla — $14 Million
5) Blended — $9 Million
Related Articles:
Review: A Million Ways to Die in the West (Laura Dengrove)
Review: X-Men Days of Future Past (Daniel Cohen)
