John Krasinski’s latest film, IF, made an impressive $1.75M in Thursday night previews, surpassing initial predictions. The live-action PG-rated feature faced challenges in terms of comparisons due to the lack of recent similar releases. Despite mixed reviews at 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, IF is expected to have a strong opening weekend, with projections at $40M. This would make it one of the top-grossing original live-action PG films, potentially surpassing the record set by Hop in 2011 with $37.5M. The audience reception for IF is reported to be better than anticipated, indicating possible strong word-of-mouth promotion.
In terms of previews, IF’s performance is comparable to animated hits such as Zootopia and The Boss Baby, both of which had successful opening weekends. IF’s unique blend of live-action and animation elements may contribute to its appeal among audiences, especially families and younger viewers. The positive initial reception bodes well for its box office prospects.
In addition to IF, Lionsgate’s horror reboot The Strangers: Chapter 1 also had a solid start with $1.2M in previews. The film, directed by Renny Harlin, follows a young couple stranded in a mysterious town and is projected to earn between $7M-$9M over the weekend. Despite low critical ratings, the horror genre often attracts a dedicated fan base, which could drive its performance at the box office.
Meanwhile, Focus Features released StudioCanal’s Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black, which is expected to have a more modest opening of $4M-$6M. The R-rated film, starring Marisa Abela as the late singer, received mixed reviews and generated only $375K in previews. Focus Features’ investment in the film is limited compared to other releases, signaling a more cautious approach to its distribution.
Overall, the box office weekend presents a diverse range of films catering to different audiences. While IF and The Strangers: Chapter 1 seem poised for solid openings, Back to Black faces more modest expectations. The final box office results will reveal how audiences respond to these new releases and whether they can maintain momentum in the competitive film market.