Marc Forster’s dramedy A man called Otto — starring Tom Hanks — is in solid business with Martin Luther King Jr. the festival ticket sales in a much-needed win for adult-skewed films.
Playing in 2,802 theaters, Sony’s release is expected to open to $15 million over the long weekend, enough to beat out the new lineup Airplaneaction movie starring Gerard Butler. Otto is expanding nationwide after starting in select theaters during the year-end sale. It received an A Cinemascore on top of strong reviews.
Airplane, from Lionsgate, is projected for $11.6 million over the four days from 3,023 theaters. The film, which received a B+ CinemaScore from moviegoers, is ahead of expectations.
Both films draw their greatest strength from consumers over the age of 45.
The two films are forecasting fourth and fifth place. With number 1 is the miracle of James Cameron Avatar: The Way of the Water, which is headed for a four-day holiday haul of another $38.5 million from 4,045 theaters. The Disney and 20th Century tentpole closes on Monday with a domestic total in the $570 million range.
Until Sunday, The road of the water will have grossed around $1.89 billion worldwide, including a foreign haul of $1.33 billion. At some point on Monday, the worldwide total is expected to reach $1.9 billion, one of the best showings of all time.
Horror offer M3GAN is doing well in its second weekend with a four-day gross of $21.2 million from 3,605 locations. That would put the film’s domestic total at $58.7 million through Monday against a modest $12 million budget. M3GAN is from Universal, Blumhouse and Atomic Monster.
Universal will also claim the third spot on the charts with a family film Puss in Boots: The Last Wishwhich is projected to earn $17.3 million for its four days from 3,687 theaters, jumped over $100 million domestically and ended Monday with a North American total of $110.3 million.
Among other new nationwide offers, House party — originally set up on HBO Max — is looking at sixth place with a four-day opening of $4.5 million from 1,300 theaters. The film is produced by LeBron James, who also stars in the comedy Redux.
The devil’s conspiracy is falling flat in its debut with an estimated four-day opening of $670,000.
Figures will be updated on Monday.
January 15, 07:45: Updated with revised plans.
This story was originally published on January 14 at 8:51 am
