Is the 'Predator' franchise roaring back to life? This weekend's box office numbers are in, and it looks like Predator: Badlands might just be the hit the franchise needed! After a string of disappointing releases, Disney/20th Century Studios' latest installment is poised to have the best opening weekend since Alien vs. Predator back in 2004. That earlier film snagged a cool $38.3 million in its debut, and Badlands is projected to earn around $37 million, according to Deadline. That's a significant leap from earlier predictions!
While it's a promising start, it's worth noting that when adjusted for inflation, Badlands' opening is somewhat more modest. Still, it's a positive sign for the franchise, especially considering the last film, Prey, went straight to streaming on Hulu. With a solid A– CinemaScore rating, the buzz around Predator: Badlands is definitely positive. 20th Century Studios is likely thrilled with the results, which are comparable to what Alien: Romulus achieved last year. The success of these films, especially when made with a reasonable budget, demonstrates their potential for long-term profitability for the studio.
But here's where it gets controversial... The film's PG-13 rating has sparked debate among fans. Disney seems to be aiming for a younger audience, but it's unclear if this strategy will pay off. Alien: Romulus, which was rated R, actually had a slightly better opening, even though it premiered during the summer. The upcoming The Running Man, with its hard R rating, will be a crucial test next weekend.
In other box office news, the Colleen Hoover adaptation Regretting You is expected to take second place with approximately $6.5 million, while The Black Phone 2 will likely come in third with $4.2 million. Sony Classics' Nuremberg, which is expanding its release this weekend, is projected to open with about $3.5 million. No figures have been released yet for the Sydney Sweeney–led boxing biopic Christy, which earned a respectable B+ CinemaScore rating. This is a stark contrast to Die My Love, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, which received a disappointing D+ rating from audiences.
We'll have a complete breakdown of the weekend's earnings tomorrow.
What are your thoughts? Are you planning to see any movies this weekend? Do you think the PG-13 rating will help or hurt Predator: Badlands? Share your opinions in the comments below! I'm curious to hear what you think!
