Audiences ignored professional critics en masse this weekend, deciding to not let the massive drubbing that Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice endured and showing up in giant caravans lined around the block, I'm presuming. They were able to propel Batman Vs Superman to a great $166M opening, smashing The Hunger Games' March and pre-summer opening weekend records by $14M. Even with poor WOM, the beginning stages of what will becomes the Justice League should still easily pass the $350M and hone in on $400M by the time Captain America comes out to play.
PTA-wise, outside of Batman Vs Superman, Midnight Special pulled in another 4 points, and is only expanding to 55 theaters this weekend, so the total should continue to roll for WB. I Saw The Light could only muster a $9K PTA, but it was still good enough for 3 points - but going into 700+ theaters this weekend should put a stop to that.
This week's wide release...
God's Not Dead 2 (Pure Flix) - The 4th Christian film in 7 weeks, this sequel to 2014's God's Not Dead follows a high school teacher who's asked about Jesus in her public school classroom, and her response leads to national outcry and a trial that puts the whole Religion In Schools debate front and center. It's being pushed into over 2,000 theaters from Pure Flix, and being the only new release will certainly help out God's Not Dead 2. Starring Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina herself), Ernie Hudson, Jesse Metcalfe, and Robin Givens, it's not being handled with care by critics - 33% on RT - but that should do little to deter the conservative crowd.
$11M OW with a $45M total. It should garner 3 Top 5 points, zero PTA points, and for $9 in April-June BO Leagues, it's a good bang for your buck. But with the summer heavy hitters available now, it'll be hard to make room for this.
This week's limited releases...
Miles Ahead (Sony Classics) - In 4 theaters from Sony Classics, Don Cheadle's passion project should battle Batman Vs Superman for PTA supremacy this weekend. Written, directed, and starring Cheadle, Miles Ahead is the biopic of music legend Miles Davis as he battles drugs, women, and racism to become one of the most respected artists of his time. The film has gotten lukewarm reviews, but arthouse audiences love a good biopic when they can get one.
It'll be expanding into double digit theaters each successive weekend, so it's hard to see it ruling the roost for very long. But a total of 7-8 PTA points isn't out of the question, and PTA players will become harder and harder to find as we approach the summer. $4 is reasonable enough to roll the dice here.
Everybody Wants Some!! (Paramount) - Billed as the spiritual sequel to director Richard Linklater's breakthrough hit, Dazed And Confused, Everybody Wants Some!! hits 19 theaters on Wednesday before going wide on the 15th. Starring a cast of unknowns and 2nd generation Hollywood-ers (Zoey Deutch - daughter of Lea Thompson, Blake Jenner - another Kardashian/Jenner, and Wyatt Russell, son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn all are cast here), it's an examination of teenage and college life in the 1970s, continuing Linklater's resume of slice-of-life, critically acclaimed films. It's been loved by critics, with its 95% on RT, and it would be the no-brainer PTA pick - if not for its schedule wide release very soon.
If you can afford $6 in your April-June ULT Leagues for just two weekends of possible PTA points, definitely grab it. But next week's Green Room or some of the summer limiteds might prove to have a better return on your dollars.
The Dark Horse (Broad Green) - Upstart distributor Broad Green looks to spoil the PTA finishing this weekend with The Dark Horse, in only 2 theaters. It's getting even better reviews than Everybody Wants Some!! at 97%, but with its limited appeal, it's hard to imagine it might beat out either PTA newcomers. Starring Cliff Curtis, it focuses on a New Zealander chess champion who ends up teaching the game to inner city children in the not-so-glamorous parts of Los Angeles.
Broad Green opened Knight of Cups last month in 4 theaters and managed 4 PTA points, but expanding to 30+ theaters turned out to spoil Malick's comeback in its tracks. The Dark Horse doesn't have the name recognition that film had, so I wouldn't expect it to end up with more than 1 PTA point, at best. For $2, the risk is minimal however, and I've certainly been wrong before.
The Prediction For The Weekend of April 1st-3rd:
1) Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice - $68M
2) Zootopia - $18M
3) God's Not Dead 2 - $11M
4) My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 - $10M
5) Miracles From Heaven - $6M
PTA: Miles Ahead, Batman Vs Superman, Everybody Wants Some!!, Midnight Special, Zootopia
Next week brings us two new wide releases, with Melissa McCarthy's The Boss and 1st person action flick, Hardcore Henry. We'll also have Demolition (although in 500+ theaters) and horror The Invitation in limited release.
