As the spring break season approaches, there is a lot of uncertainty in the weekend box office landscape. The highly anticipated release of 20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is expected to have a strong opening with estimates of over $50 million. However, A24’s Civil War, which currently has accumulated $27 million and is holding the top spot, may face stiff competition from Universal’s Abigail. Both films are projected to bring in around $12 million each, which would represent a significant 53% decline for Civil War.
Abigail, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, stars Melissa Barrera, Angus Cloud, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, and Kevin Durand. The film follows a group of kidnappers who abduct a 12-year-old ballerina, played by Alisha Weir, and demand a $50 million ransom. Locked inside an isolated mansion, the captors soon realize they are dealing with something far more sinister than a normal little girl. The film is targeted towards men and women aged 18-34 and has garnered positive reviews, with an 82% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
On the other hand, Lionsgate’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, directed by Guy Ritchie, is set to hit theaters with expectations of a mid single-digit opening. The film, based on declassified files of the British war department, tells the story of the first special forces organization formed during WWII. Starring Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, and others, the movie follows a daring mission against the Nazis using unconventional and “ungentlemanly” fighting techniques. With an A- CinemaScore and an 81% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, some exhibitors believe the film could exceed its initial estimates.
Spy x Family Code: White, directed by Takashi Katagiri, is the first film installment of the TV series based on the manga by Tatsuya Endo. The movie features secret agent Twilight, his deadly assassin wife Yor, and their telepathic adopted daughter Anya on a new mission. With 4 p.m. previews scheduled in 1,870 sites and availability in Japanese with English subtitles or dubbed in English, the film is expected to attract a diverse audience.
The upcoming box office releases offer a variety of genres and storylines to cater to different audiences. While Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is poised for a strong opening, films like Abigail, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and Spy x Family Code: White also have the potential to make a significant impact at the box office. It will be interesting to see how these films perform and whether they can meet or exceed their predictions.
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