Weekend Predictions: Gods of Egypt Eye Top Spot

February 26, 2016

Gods of Egypt

There are three wide releases looking to overtake Deadpool at the box office. I seriously doubt any of them will be able to do so. In fact, all three combined might not top Deadpool over the weekend. Gods of Egypt is by far the biggest costing $140 million, but it likely won't earn 10% of that over the weekend. Triple 9 is a rather generic action film that bombed in its debut in the U.K., which doesn't bode well for its run here. Finally, Eddie the Eagle is a feel-good inspirational sports movie based on a real life story. Unfortunately, the sport in question is ski-jumping, which isn't popular enough to expect the movie will find an audience in theaters. This weekend last year, Focus was the top film, but Deadpool will likely beat it by $10 million over the weekend. It should be a relatively good week for 2016.

Deadpool hit $250 million domestically on Wednesday, a number that practically guarantees it has made a profit based just on its domestic theatrical numbers. This is a feat that only about one in ten films manage. It should add another $3 million on Thursday and $28 million over the weekend for a total of $282 million. It remains on pace to reach $300 million with ease, but $350 million might be asking too much.

Gods of Egypt is looking like a disaster. Its reviews are barely in the double-digit range, and dropping, while its box office chances remain terrible. At best, it will earn $15 million over the weekend. At worst, it won't top $10 million. I'm going with $12 million, but I fear that might be too generous.

Triple 9 has an amazing cast, but critics are complaining that the script doesn't live up to the talent in front of the camera. This results in a movie that is okay, but nothing special. Worse still, if you are interested in an action film, Deadpool is the better choice. The film opened in the U.K. bombing with just sixth place at $1.21 million. It won't do as poorly here, but third place with $9 million is as good as it gets.

Kung Fu Panda 3 should earn 4th place with just over $8 million over the weekend for a running tally of $127 million.

Eddie the Eagle is this week's Race. Both films are inspirational sports movies based on real life events. Additionally, both films are based on sports that don't have a large fan base here. Eddie the Eagle's reviews are good, but not great, so it shouldn't bomb. However, it is opening in barely more than 2,000 theaters, so fifth place with just under $8 million is likely the best it will do.

- Gods of Egypt comparisons
- Triple 9 comparisons
- Eddie the Eagle comparisons

Filed under: Weekend Preview, Deadpool, Kung Fu Panda 3, Gods of Egypt, Triple 9, Race, Eddie the Eagle