It has been a few months since Hollywood has opened two highly anticipated films at once, so this weekend will give the business a major jolt before the summer movie season. Both Divergent and Muppets Most Wanted open and will be shown in over 3,000 locations each.
Divergent is the film adaptation of Veronica Roth’s successful novel and Lionsgate/Summit is hoping that it will take off like the books did. Roth has two further novels in the series and the studio wants to create another Hunger Games-style franchise. While Divergent hasn’t earned great reviews from critics, fans of the book are expected to turn out in droves.
Analysts estimate that Divergent will make $60 million, reports TheWrap. So, Lionsgate knows that the real test is overseas. Rather than have the Shailene Woodley film sweep the world all at once, it has decided to roll it out slowly, since Roth’s novels aren’t as well known outside the U.S. Most international openings won’t happen until April 4.
Disney is launching Muppets Most Wanted this weekend. The follow-up to 2011’s The Muppets, this movie dispenses with nostalgia and is a comedy caper. Box Office Mojo notes that a $25 million opening is likely for the film. While The Muppets was well-liked, it surprisingly only made $88 million.
The rest of the Top 5 will be holdovers like Mr. Peabody & Sherman, 300: Rose of an Empire and Need for Speed. Entertainment Weekly suggests that Peabody’s box office win last weekend may draw more interest, propelling it to a $15 million third weekend.
You can check out other movies opening this weekend in Trailer Park.
image courtesy of Summit/EPK