Fantasy Movie League: A Box Office Feast


Sometimes you take a big swing and it pays off handsomely. Sometimes it goes the other way. Last week, for me, it went the other way. I thought Instant Family would be an instant hit during this Thanksgiving week. That was a mistake. And I ended up with just $79 million in my Cineplex.

Instead, The Grinch was again the best value — and the best anchor — and the Perfect Cineplex ended up with $104 million. So, yeah, I was a touch off. And with five wide releases joining the fray on Wednesday, this week will be even more packed out.

Time to figure out where the value lies. And as always, if you think you’re better at the game than me, I encourage you to join me in a Fantasy Life App Blog league! You can join the league here. Let’s see how this week stacks up.

New at the Box Office:

The biggest new release is the animated hit Ralph Breaks the Internet, the follow up to the original. It boasts a ridiculous 86 percent critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, and it has near universal appeal. So, yes, this will be the top movie at the Box Office. It’s the most pricey option at $566 FML Bucks, and that coincides with the Fantasy Movie League projection of $54.4 million for the weekend. But, remember, these movies opened on Wednesday, so a couple days of viewing happens prior to this weekend count, the first day of which is Black Friday. Hence the somewhat moderate expectation. And, Fantasy Movie League is the highest, while Box Office Pro calls for $48.8 million and Box Office Report calls for $51 million. So Ralph might be tops at the Box Office but not the best option to lead your Cineplex.
The next biggest release is Creed 2, the follow up to the spin-off of the Rocky franchise. This one again features Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa and Michael B. Jordan in the lead role. And this one features a famous face from the Rocky world, too. At $363, this one is the second highest cost in this week’s competition. It’s projected at $28.4 million and fourth place by Fantasy Movie League, but they’re the lowest. Box Office Pro projects it at $33.5 million while Box Office Report projects it at $37 million. So that could make it a value.
Next up we have Robin Hood, an action-centric re-make of the classic story. This one is led by Taron Edgerton and Jamie Foxx, and it’s been savaged by critics with a 13 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. It’s priced at just $94 FML Bucks, but it doesn’t have robust projections. Fantasy Movie League sees $9.7 million, seventh place. That’s a soft opening, but they are the most bullish. Box Office Pro sees $8 million and Box Office Report sees $8.5 million. It’s a stay away for me.
Next we have Green Book, one of two Oscar bait movies that is getting a wide release this week. It boasts an 81 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and clocks in at $68 FML Bucks. Fantasy Movie League projects $6.6 million, but Box Office Pro sees $4.5 million and Box Office Report sees just $4 million. So it’s a tough bet for value.
The final new release is The Front Runner, which is about the scandal that de-railed the Presidential Campaign of Gary Hart. While it’s getting a wider release, it is just $12 FML Bucks and projected under $1 million, so it’s just a low-end dart throw.

The Search for the Best Value:

Last week’s top option, Fantastic Beasts The Crimes of Grindelwald, is still there and going strong. It is $362 FML Bucks, barely third highest, and is projected at $34.5 million by Fantasy Movie League. But they’re the highest. Box Office Pro sees $31.5 million and Box Office Report sees $28 million. Given the mixed reviews from critics and fans, it could be on the lower end.

Another interesting choice is The Grinch, which is seasonal and family friendly. It was the Best Value last week, and could be a value again this week. It’s $307 FML Bucks and projected around $30 million. There could be value there.

This Week’s Lineup:

I think Creed 2 provides the best value this week, so I’m rolling with it.

Creed 2 x2
Robin Hood
A Star is Born x4
Boy Erased

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more