The low-budget hit thrillerDon’t Breathemanaged to stay atop the box office during theLabor Day holidayweekend, taking in $15.7 million over the first three-days, and a total of $19.5 over the extended four-day holiday. Now that the fall movie season is kicking into high gear, some of this year’s awards season favorites will start hitting the big screen, with the highly-anticipated biopicSullypoised to be one of the first Oscar candidates to arrive this year. We’re predicting thatSullyshould have no trouble taking the top spot this weekend with $22.5 million, fending off fellow new releasesThe Disappointments Room,The Wild LifeandWhen the Bough Breaks.
What will be interesting to see is how the 9/11 anniversary affects box office sales. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attack, and whileSully, which starsTom Hanksas the title character, does not have anything to do with terrorism, it does involve a New York City plane crash, which could possibly turn some viewers away from the movie on this anniversary. Still,Box Office Mojoreports that this biopic from directorClint Eastwoodwill open in more than 3,350 theaters, which will be the widest release of any movie in theaters this weekend.
As of now, it’s also the top choice among critics, withSullyearning a solid 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while the animated adventureThe Wild Lifehas only mustered a 45% rating on RT, slated to open in roughly 2,200 theaters. There haven’t been enough reviews posted yet forThe Disappointments Room, expected to arrive in approximately 1,500 theaters, orWhen the Bough Breaks, set to debut in an estimated 2,200 theaters. We’re predicting thatDon’t Breathewill drop to second place this weekend with $9.4 million, with newcomersWhen the Bough Breaks($8.2 million),The Wild Life($7.8 million) andThe Disappointments Room($6.1 million) rounding out the top 5.
On Thursday, January 15th, 2009, the world witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Captain, Chesley Sullenberger, nicknamedSully& is portrayed byTom Hanksglided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career.Clint Eastwooddirects this biopic, with a supporting cast that includesAaron Eckhart,Laura Linney,Jerry Ferrara,Autumn Reeser,Sam Huntington,Holt McCallanyandMax Adler.
When the Bough Breaksfollows John and Laura Taylor (Morris ChestnutandRegina Hall), a young, professional couple who desperately want a baby. After exhausting all other options, they finally hire Anna (Jaz Sinclair), the perfect woman to be their surrogate - but as she gets further along in her pregnancy, so too does her psychotic and dangerous fixation on the husband. The couple becomes caught up in Anna’s deadly game and must fight to regain control of their future before it’s too late.Jon Cassardirects thisintense thrillerwith a supporting cast that includesTheo Rossi,Christine BachandMichelle DeVito.
The Wild Lifeis set on a tiny exotic island. Tuesday, an outgoing parrot, lives with his quirky animal friends in paradise. However, Tuesday can’t stop dreaming about discovering the world. After a violent storm, Tuesday and his friends wake up to find a strange creature on the beach: Robinson Crusoe. Tuesday immediately views Crusoe as his ticket off the island to explore new lands. Likewise, Crusoe soon realizes that the key to surviving on the island is through the help of Tuesday and the other animals. It isn’t always easy at first, as the animals don’t speak “human.” Slowly but surely, they all start living together in harmony, until one day, when their comfortable life is overturned by two savage cats, who wish to take control of the island. A battle ensues between the cats and the group of friends but Crusoe and the animals soon discover the true power of friendship up against all odds (even savage cats).
Rounding out the top 10 will beSuicide Squad($5.6 million),Pete’s Dragon($3.7 million),Kubo and the Two Strings($3.1 million),Sausage Party($2.9 million) andThe Light Between Oceans($2.3 million). Also arriving in limited release this weekend is Magnolia’s documentaryAuthor: The JT LeRoy Story, Focus World’s dramaKicks, Janus Films' documentaryCameraperson, Cohen Media Group’s dramaCome What May, The Orchard’s horror-thrillerDemon, Independent’s dramaOther Peopleand IFC’s documentaryDancer. We don’t know if there are plans for these limited release titles to expand in the weeks and months to come.
Looking ahead to next week, four more newcomers hit the big screen in wide release. Open Road Films will roll out their true story thrillerSnowden, Universal will debut the comedy sequelBridget Jones' Baby, Lionsgate will unveil their secret horror sequelBlair Witchand PureFlix will release the documentaryHillsong - Let Hope Rise. Also opening in limited release next weekend is Abramorama’s documentaryThe Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years, China Lion’s thrillerCock and Bull, Independent’s thrillerThe Good Neighbor, The Orchard’s comedyMiss StevensFilmRise’s documentarySilicon Cowboysand The Weinstein Company’s comedy adventureWild Oats. Check back on Sunday for the box office estimates, and again next Tuesday for the latest round of predictions. In the meantime, take a look at our predictions for the weekend of September 9.
