Fantasy Movie League: November Arrives

We’re in November and that means a couple things for our game. First, we’re nearing the end of the Fall season. Second, we’re going to see a flood of new releases every single week. That begins this week as we have four new wide releases. But before we dive in, let’s look back at last week.

I thought Maleficent: Mistress of Evil looked like the strongest anchor, and that bore out. Not only that, but Maleficent was the Best Value. So stringing it along the first three screens was the right play. I also bet on The Current War. That was off the mark. So, in keeping with the theme of the season, I was close, and better than the Most Popular Pick, but not quite at the top. I feel like it’s coming though.

This week we have a slew of new releases, but only one that figures to compete for the top of the Box Office. But with a crowded, and divided field, it’s about hitting on the right value. 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. On to this week’s competition.

New at the Box Office:

The biggest new release is Terminator: Dark Fate. The film features the return of Linda Hamilton, and also includes Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is touted as the return of producer James Cameron, and it’s supposed to be a sequel to the best of the Terminator movies, T2: Judgement Day. That being said, it boasts a 63 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, which isn’t terrible for this kind of film. But part of me is still skeptical. The question is, will the audience also be skeptical? The film is $645 FML Bucks, by far the most of any film, which lines up with Fantasy Movie League’s projection. They have it in first with $38.1 million, more than $25 million above the second place film. Box Office Pro is less bullish with $33.5 million, while Box Office Report has $35 million. But all three have it well out in front.

Next up is the animated film Artic Dogs, which figures to have plenty of kid appeal. It’s priced at $111 FML Bucks and doesn’t have a score on Rotten Tomatoes, not that it will matter. The film is projected at $4.5 million for Fantasy Movie League. Box Office Pro is higher with $6 million with Box Office Report at $5.8 million. Never underestimate what parents will do to entertain their children. There could be value here.

Next up is Harriet, the biopic on Harriet Tubman that figures to be an awards-season player. It’s priced at $110 FML Bucks and has a modest 70 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Fantasy Movie League projects $6.7 million, while Box Office Pro sees $9 million and Box Office Report sees $9.8 million. That makes this one seem like a potentially great value, especially at its price.

The final new entry is Motherless Brooklyn, the noir from Edward Norton that boasts a modest 64 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Still, it has its critical fans and could draw an audience with its genre and strong cast. It’s just $57 FML Bucks and projected at $3.2 million by Fantasy Movie League. Box Office Pro sees $3.6 million and Box Office Report sees $3.8 million. So there could be some low-end value.

The Search for the Best Value:

Joker has been out nearly a month, and still it’s going strong. It is $196 FML Bucks, second most, and carries projections between $12.2 and $13 million. It has some value appeal, and at that level feels like a stronger anchor that Terminator. But it might not be THE strongest anchor. 

Another interesting film is The Addams Family, at $103 FML Bucks. It’s projected at $6.7 million by Fantasy Movie League, but Box Office Pro sees $8.2 million and Box Office Report sees $7.2 million. So it, like Artic Dogs, might get a boost due to some family appeal, especially so close to Halloween.

This Week’s Lineup:

This week I like Harriet to offer a lot of value.

Joker

Harriet x7