After pulling in about $4 million on Friday, “Ben-Hur” is looking at a dismal opening weekend at the box office in the range of $11 million at 3,084 locations. The film, from Paramount and MGM, is eyeing a fourth or fifth place finish this weekend despite a big budget of about $100 million.
Warner Bros. is staying on top as “Suicide Squad” will most likely keep the throne with a third weekend in the $20 million range at 3,924 locations. The same studio’s “War Dogs” is looking at about $15 million at 3,258 locations after pulling in $5.5 million on Friday.
Sony and Annapurna’s second weekend of “Sausage Party” is eyeing a second weekend in the $15 million range at 3,103 locations after a $5 million Friday. The tight box office race is only squeezed tighter by Focus’ launch of the animated adventure “Kubo and the Two Strongs” from Laika, which looks to open to about $12 million at 3,260 locations. Its Friday numbers were nearly identical to “Ben-Hur.”
“Suicide Squad” is declining by about 53% and will wind up the weekend with about $260 million at the domestic box office. Earlier in the week the supervillain tentpole crossed the $500 million mark in worldwide box office.
“War Dogs,” stars Miles Teller and Jonah Hill and had a $45 million budget. The film had been forecast to take in around $12 million to $14 million at 3,258 locations amid mixed reviews with a 59% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. ‘Ben-Hur’ Reboot a ‘Completely Different Movie’ Than 1959 Version, Says Director
Paramount and MGM, which co-financed “Ben-Hur,” had been hoping for a $20 million launch by appealing to faith-based customers, but other trackers were accurate in forecasting a debut in the $10 million to $15 million range.
