2017 came to an end withStar Wars: The Last Jedieasily staying put at the top of the box office last weekend, over the final frame of the year. This upcoming weekend marks the first of the new year, with only one new release opening in theaters, Universal’sInsidious: The Last Key, the fourth entry in theInsidious franchise, while the true story adaptationMolly’s Gameexpands into a nationwide release after opening in limited theaters on Christmas Day. Despite this new competition, we’re predicting thatStar Wars: The Last Jediwill repeat for a fourth weekend in a row, although it may be quite the close race.
The Last Jedi pulled in $52.6 millionlast weekend, its third in theaters, dropping just 26.4% and bringing its domestic tally to $517.3 million, making it the top grossing domestic movie of the year. While it still has a bit of work to do to surpassBeauty and the Beast($1.26 billion) at the worldwide box office, that should happen sooner rather than later, with its worldwide tally currently at $1.05 billion. We’re predicting thatThe Last Jediwill have a slightly bigger drop than last weekend, which we’re estimating at 40%, which will putThe Last Jedi’s fourth weekend at $31.4 million, withInsidious: The Last Keyopening in second place with $26.2 million.
The entireInsidiousfranchise has never been a massive hit at the box office, but they have put up solid numbers from minimal budgets. The firstInsidious moviecame out in 2011, opening with $13.2 million en route to $54 million domestic and $97 million worldwide, from just a $1.5 million budget. The second installment,Insidious: Chapter 2arrived in 2013, opening with an impressive $40.2 million, en route to $83.5 million domestic and $161.9 million worldwide, from a $9 million budget. 2015’sInsidious: Chapter 3dipped a bit, opening with $22.6 million, en route to $52.2 million domestic and $112.9 million worldwide, from a $9 million budget.
We’re predicting the top 10 will be comprised ofJumanji: Welcome to the Jungle($23.6 million),Pitch Perfect 3($9.8 million),The Greatest Showman($8.1 million),Ferdinand($6.2 million),Coco($3.8 million),All the Money in the World($2.9 million),Darkest Hour($2.5 million) andDownsizing($2.1 million). WhileMolly’s Gameis expanding nationwide, which has been quitecritically-acclaimed, it isn’t known how large the expansion may be, so while it’s possible that it could crack the top 10 this weekend, it’s by no means for certain. Also opening in limited release this weekend is Rialto’sBob Le Flambeur, Well Go USA’sGoldbuster, Film Movement’sIn Betweenand Independent’sProject Eden.
Looking ahead to next weekend, that will likely be the frame where this seemingly-unstoppableStar Wars moviecould be stopped, with four new movies opening in wide release. Lionsgate will release bothThe Commuterwith Liam Neeson and the foreign animated filmCondorito: La Pelicula, while Warner Bros. will releasePaddington 2, after the project switched distributors from The Weinstein Company, and Sony’sProud Mary. Also opening in limited release is Film Movement’s comedyMy Art, Music Box Films' dramaVazanteand Indican’s action movieWastelander. Take a look at our projections for the top 10 for the weekend of January 5, and check back on Sunday for the top 10 estimates, fromBox Office Mojo.
