This weekend’s box office has the unpleasant distinction of being the last of wide releases for the next few weeks thanks to several upcoming films being shifted off the schedule due to the coronavirus outbreak. It still remains to be seen if movie theaters will see a hit in business or will moviegoers just support what’s out there as public gatherings become questionable amid the current pandemic.
Vin Diesel’s Bloodshot actually scored a solid preview night with $1.2 million off previews that started at 5:00 PM at 2,631 locations. For his know Fast films, this preview number bests the total for 2015’s The Last Witch Hunter ($525,000) which went on to open to $10.8 million, as well as his 2013 Riddick which had previews start at 8:00 PM, moving toward a $975,000 evening, $19 million domestic opening. What’s hurting Bloodshot is that reviews weren’t kind at 35% rotten on Rotten Tomatoes and it’s still up in the air whether people will head to the movies this weekend. As of now, Bloodshot is tracking for an $8-10 million opening but moviegoers may get cabin fever from staying in and will head to check this one out. This is the one weekend I’m having a hard time trying to predict. Exits for the film were on the ok side at 3 stars for the PG-13 action pic and a 45% definite recommend. Men over 25 made a trip to this at 51% followed by 21% men under 25, 21% females under 25 and 6% females under 25. Diversity demos were 49% Caucasian, 21% Hispanic, 16% African American, and 9% Asian.
Also opening in previews is the faith-based I Still Believe, which grossed $780,000 at 283 IMAX locations on Wednesday and expanded Thursday night to previews at 2,600 locations. Why IMAX screens? The film has several concert musical numbers that supposedly shine on the format. Oddly enough, I Still Believe has the best shot of pulling in good numbers this weekend. Starring K.J. Apa, the film skews towards the younger female crowd and they may not see any concerns heading to the movies this weekend. I Still Believe is rotten at 43% but these faith-based films are critic-proof and audiences tend to enjoy them more. This seems true for I Still Believe because the exits were strong at 4 1/2 stars from general audiences (95%), and five stars from kids under 12 and parents (a combined 10%). It’s possible the film sees a $12-14 million opening.
The Hunt finally sees the light of day after coming off its September release last year amid a lot of controversy. Did genre fans respond to the latest Blumhouse film? Hard to say as of now but it did gross $435,000 at 2,200 theaters off 7:00 PM shows. I saw this one last night and thought it didn’t live up to the hype but Betty Gilpin is solid in it and there are some fun action/gore moments. I can’t see the film attracting much of a mainstream crowd but since this is Blumhouse, the film was made on the cheap so whatever it makes through its run, will likely fund a new Blumhouse production.
