Fantasy Movie League: Some New Releases


It’s been a long stretch. Since November 21, a Wednesday, we haven’t seen many new films. But, finally, we have a full slate of new releases set to come out this week. That means four new wide releases in the game. But more on that in a minute.

Last week I thought The Grinch was the best option for an anchor, and some sneaky value could be had in Green Book and A Star is Born, which earned a gaggle of nominations last Thursday. Turns out those instincts were right. Programming three of The Grinch was the path to victory. But while I hedged my bets with a couple screens each of Green Book and A Star is Born, it turns out the path to perfection was just to bet on Lady Gaga. You live. You learn. You improve. That’s the goal anyway.

So this week we finally have some new releases, including one that figures to top the Box Office and knock Ralph from his pedestal. 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. Last week of the current season, let’s see if I can end on a high note!

New at the Box Office:

There are four new films in the game, the biggest of which is Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse. This film has been hailed by some as the best Spider-Man film of all time, and boasts a ridiculous 98 percent on Rotten Tomatoes (down from 100 percent at one point). It’s the most expensive option in the game, at $571 FML Bucks, and it’s projected at the top of the Box Office. Fantasy Movie League projects $48.8 million, which is quite a haul. However, they’re way out in front on those projections. Box Office Pro projects $36 million while Box Office Report projects $39 million. Given that, this might not be the ideal anchor since Fantasy Movie League’s projections are so far out of synch with the others.
The next biggest release is Mortal Engines, which comes from the creative team behind Lord of the Rings. This isn’t Lord of the Rings, though, as the film boasts just a 35 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The film costs $171 FML Bucks, and Fantasy Movie League projects it in third place with $13.6 million. However, they’re the most bullish. Box Office Pro sees only $9.6 million, below Ralph Breaks the Internet even, and Box Office Report sees only $11 million. Another one that won’t live up to its potential as an option.
The next new release is the Clint Eastwood film The Mule. Eastwood has a solid reputation and a dedicated core group of fans. This one features Bradley Cooper and a few other big names, too, so it will likely do OK. It boasts a 62 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, which isn’t great but isn’t terrible. It costs $235 FML Bucks, second most in the game this week, and is projected at $17.6 million by Fantasy Movie League, $17 million by Box Office Pro and $20 million by Box Office Report. That means it could hold some potential as a good value at anchor.
The final new entry to the game is Once Upon a Deadpool, which is a re-release of Deadpool 2. The film has been edited down to a PG-13 film, and includes new exchanges between Deadpool and Fred Savage, an homage to The Princess Bride. It opened on Wednesday, and is likely a fun little treat for fans. It’s priced at $76 FML Bucks and projected at just $4.2 million by Fantasy Movie League. Box Office Report projects it at $4.5 million, which feels about right because the film is available on DVD already and there isn’t enough new here to pull the masses. It could be a decent filler option, and if it breaks big there is value potential. But I don’t buy it.

The Search for the Best Value:

For three weeks, Ralph Breaks the Internet has ruled the Box Office, and it’s still a strong film option. It’s priced at $127 FML Bucks, and Fantasy Movie League projected $9.7 million. Box Office Pro projects $10 million and Box Office Report projects $9.5 million. It could still offer value, though, because of how films are projected around it. Another possibility is The Grinch, priced at $155 FML Bucks, but projected between $10.5 and $11.5 million. Fantasy Movie League is actually the lowest, again presenting some value.

Nothing on the low end really stands out, but A Star is Born could continue to get some award season bumps.

This Week’s Lineup:

I looked at some options, but if The Mule hits, I like the upside the best.

The Mule x3
The Grinch
Instant Family x2
A Star is Born x2

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