Paramount is set to release its reimagining of the 1987 classic, The Running Man, featuring actor Glen Powell. This film is expected to secure the number one spot at the box office with estimated earnings of around $20 million this weekend. However, it is facing competition from the successful release of Predator: Badlands, which is projected to earn about $16 million in its second weekend.
Predator: Badlands’ Strong Performance
Predator: Badlands has gained positive feedback, boasting the highest CinemaScore rating of A- within its franchise. Its impressive PostTrak recommendation score of 78% suggests strong audience approval. Additionally, the film’s PG-13 rating gives it an edge over The Running Man, which is rated R.
- Predator: Badlands earned $5.7 million on Veterans Day Tuesday.
- The film’s five-day total has now reached $49.2 million.
- Though both films appeal primarily to male audiences, Badlands saw 22% of its viewers come from women over 25.
The Running Man Details
The Running Man is directed by Edgar Wright and produced with a budget of approximately $110 million. It adapts Stephen King’s 1982 novel, written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, and tells the story of Ben Richards, a father who enters a deadly game. He aims to win $1 billion to save his ailing daughter, competing against other contestants hunted by assassins in a dystopian setting.
Opening Weekend and Competition
Opening in about 3,400 locations, The Running Man features 1,000 premium large-format screens. The film’s previews will commence at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Despite its strong box office expectations, it must contend with Predators’ established audience and positive reception.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
Lionsgate plans to debut its thriller, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, which is projected to earn between $18 million and $20 million during its opening weekend. This sequel to the previous entries in the franchise features a reunion of magicians who plot a diamond heist. The film does not appear likely to secure the top position at the box office.
- The previous installment, released in 2016, opened with $22.3 million and grossed $334.8 million globally.
- China contributed $97 million to the last film’s earnings, but post-pandemic trends suggest a softer performance for foreign box offices.
Additional Releases
Neon is also releasing Keeper, a horror film by Oz Perkins, in 1,950 theaters. This title is expected to generate lower earnings. It is a horror movie that revisits themes from 1970s films like Rosemary’s Baby, featuring a couple who confront ominous events during an anniversary trip.
With several promising films competing, this weekend’s box office will showcase a blend of genres, from action to magic and horror, allowing for diverse audience choices.
