Spike Jonze has adapted Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book Where the Wild Things Are into a movie that isn’t for kids. Yes, its lead is a young boy who goes on a mythical journey filled with lovable two-story-tall monsters but make no mistake Wild Things isn’t for the under-10 set. How that translates into box-office dollars will be very interesting. Tracking suggests the movie opens to around $30 million with most of the money coming from the young hipster crowd of 17-34 year olds. The numbers also suggest that parents have gotten the message and are unlikely to bring their children to the theater. Also opening this weekend is the Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler-vigilante themed Law Abiding Citizen and The Stepfather, the remake of the 1987 thriller that starred Lost’s Terry O’Quinn. Those movies unfortunately will have to contend with the growing phenomenon of Paranormal Activity which gets its first weekend of wide release after already making an astounding $7.9 million in 160 theaters. It’s a very crowded weekend and Hollywood’s going to need a lot of movie-going to make each of these films a winner.
1. Where the Wild Things Are: $30 million
Spike Jonze may have no children but he certainly remembers what it feels like to be one. His meditation on childhood Where the Wild Things Are is a movie worth seeing if its just for the visual spectacle and the great music. He’s filmed a movie based on a book that people called unfilmable, rather similar to Warner Bros. last big risk, Zack Synder’s adaptation of Watchmen, which was also deemed unfilmable. Watchmen topped out at $107 million domestically. How Wild Things ultimately performs is going to depend solidly on the word-of-mouth from the 20-year-old crowd. If they dig Jonze’s unique vision they could turn it into a hit. If they pass, the expensive adaptation will be deemed a valiant failure. Let’s hope for the former.
2. Couples Retreat: $17 million
Last weekend, Vince Vaughn contradicted the latest theory flooding Hollywood that movie stars don’t matter anymore. Well, they seem to matter in the case of Vaughn. The movie got terrible reviews in the press and the trailers showed the film’s only two jokes, yet Couples Retreat still outgrossed expectations and that was due primarily to Vaughn. Audiences love his schtick and he gave it them in boatloads in this film. My guess is the movie drops at least 50% its second weekend when audiences get distracted by the sheer number of other options in the marketplace.
3. Paranormal Activity: $16 million
Not since The Blair Witch Project has a movie captivated fans with its marketing alone. Such is the case with Paranormal, which will expand to 760 theaters this weekend thanks to millions of online fans demanding it. With media attention at a fever pitch a high-teen gross could happen.
4. Law Abiding Citizen: $15 million
Something about those television ads is working. Men’s interest in this movie has spiked in the last day, meaning the ultra-violent Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx two-hander could open impressively this weekend. It’s tracking a bit older than Paranormal Activity and those movie-goers aren’t always first out of the gate to see a film. Regardless, this revenge flick has some legs and should open respectably this frame.
5. The Stepfather: $13 million
Starring Nip/Tuck’s Dylan Walsh as the creepy stepfather (and Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley as the stepson), this $19 million remake should open strong enough to please the suits at Sony. And Screen Gems, the unit releasing the film, has a definite knack with opening genre films. The real thing standing in its way is the surprise heat surrounding Paranormal. Unfortunately, that may take a little wind out of its sails.
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I wouldn’t go to see that piece of crap by Jonez if someone put a gun to my head. THe reason critics like it is exactly why moviegoers are destined to hate it. I know dozens of really excited people who immediately lost that excitement once I explained to them it’s not a kids movie, but more of a psychological evaluation of childhood filled with metaphors. To say they weren’t happy is like calling water “kinda wet.”
Ok Debbie Downer. You convinced “dozens” of people not to see it? Have you even seen it?
PS Sorry you have to think once in awhile. I think G-Force might be coming out on DVD soon; you are probably more into that.
I also find Mark’s opinion really distressing. The fact that many programs for kids talks down to them these days is the reason Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network are nowhere near as good as they used to be. Same with movies. What do you think Pixar’s been doing with their last several movies? They make great movies for kids without pandering to them. Just because kids aren’t as sophisticated viewers as adults doesn’t mean movies should treat them like infantile idiots.
Have you even seen the movie? That is preposterous.
Why would anyone listen to your ridiculous opinion of a movie that you’ve never even seen? If there are dozens of people that you have that much influence over I truly feel sorry for them.
Paranormal Activity only gets 760 theaters??? after all that crap it got 760!!!!
“paranormal activity” is going to blow “wild” away this weekend no doubt
Doubt it…it’s not in enough theaters. But I think Paranormal Activity may have got shafted out of a #2 position due to being in so few theaters. Being in a lot more theaters, its per theater will be cut by at least half making EW’s $16 mil a very educated guess.
there’s no doubt in my mind “paranormal” is gonna be number one…still
Gee Mark, maybe someone should put a gun to your head, since it seems like you don’t enjoy using your brain. Not every movie has to have layers of meaning, but we also need movies that make us think. Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers are both great artists.
Thank you! Also, we are not the same person haha
I think “Wild Things” is going to be one of the best movies of the year, and I also think it’s going to underperform at the box office thanks to people like Mark. “You got yer smarts in my kids movie! Bah!”
I’ve been looking forward to Where the Wild Things Are for months and I’m definitely planning to see it this weekend.
I highly recommend it. I came out of the theater with such a smile on my face. I loved how Jonze brought to life that mischievous boy and the world of his imagination.
Months? almost a year for me. ever since I heard about it. Had my doubts until I heard Spike Jonze was director. I was sold.
I’m rooting for Paranormal to hit number one. It was so good. It just might happen. But there is always next week too because Paramount rolls it into 2000+ more theaters… and I think it could take on Saw 691 next weekend.
I am unbelievably excited to see Where the Wild Things Are, for exactly the same reasons Mark stated he isn’t interested. A movie with childlike elements that is actually an intelligent film with layers of depth? Count me in. Then again, the whole “movie that is ostensibly for children but is intelligent enough for adults” is a genre that I just adore. Mirrormask, The Dark Crystal, Up, Coraline, the 2003 adaptation of Peter Pan… all brilliant films.
NO WAY!… Paranormal activity will be # 2….i would think where the wild things are would make around 40 million while paranormal activity will make 30 million
“Not for the under 10 set”
America is full of “S” children and parents!
Estimates from analysts are all over the place this weekend. But, most are saying after last night’s big box office numbers for Paranormal Activity that final weekend dollars are going to be closer than previously thought. PA in only 760 theaters is now looking at numbers in the 20 to 25 million range as sellouts continue to overwhelm theater chains. Look for a huge increase in theater counts next weekend as we get closer to Halloween and everybody wanting a piece of the PA action.
im rooting for the Stepfather, its a cool horror flick, yet rated PG-13 so all sorts of crowds can see it. Were The Wild Things Are looks retarted
1. Couples Retreat $40 Mil
2. Wild thing $25
3. Paranormal Activity $2 Million
Why do you all get so defensive if someone says they don’t like a movie? Are you financially connected to it? Everyone has a right to their opinion. If you liked it, bravo. If not, then not. Re-lax.