John Krasinski’s latest film, “Imaginary Friend,” made an impressive $1.75M in Thursday night previews, setting the stage for a potentially successful opening weekend. With a lack of recent live-action PG-rated features to compare to, predicting the overall box office performance is challenging. However, industry experts are forecasting a $40M haul, which would make it one of the top openings for an original live-action PG film. Despite mixed reviews at 51% Rotten Tomatoes, there seems to be a positive buzz among audiences.
On the other hand, Lionsgate’s horror reboot “The Strangers: Chapter 1” drew $1.2M in previews, indicating a more moderate start compared to “Imaginary Friend.” With a budget of $8.5M, industry tracking suggests a weekend total of $7M-$9M. The film follows a young couple whose car breaks down in a mysterious town, adding an element of suspense to the storyline. Despite a low critical reception of 19%, horror fans may still turn out in decent numbers.
Focus Features is releasing StudioCanal’s Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black,” but the film is facing an uphill battle at the box office. With only $375K in previews from 1,700 theaters, the R-rated movie starring Marisa Abela as the late singer is projected to open with just $4M-$6M. Critical reviews have not been favorable either, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a score of 36%. Focus Features’ limited marketing budget for the film may hinder its potential for success.
Overall, this weekend’s box office results will likely be influenced by a diverse range of films catering to different audience demographics. “Imaginary Friend” has the potential to exceed expectations and become a sleeper hit, while “The Strangers: Chapter 1” and “Back to Black” may struggle to attract audiences in a competitive market. The box office landscape is constantly evolving, and the success of these films will ultimately depend on audience reception and word-of-mouth promotion.
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