Weekend Box Office Predictions 1/8

While Avatar will once again dominate the box office and finish at the top for the fourth straight weekend there are a couple new entries which appeal to unique crowds. Daybreakers provides a darker option, Leap Year is a traditional romantic comedy, and Youth in Revolt tries to provide the hipper comedy.

Vampires face a crisis as the human blood supply dries up in Daybreakers. Reviews started out very encouraging with unanimous positives early on but as more have come in those initial enthusiastic reviews have been tempered somewhat. Still for a movie of this type to get decent reviews that is a good sign. It doesn’t have big star power but Ethan Hawke is enough to sell it as being a viable option. The movie is being heavily marketed though the ads have not been particularly intriguing. Daybreakers could pull in $16 million this weekend.

January has been shown to be a good month for female skewing comedies which is what Leap Year hopes to take advantage of. This same weekend last year opened a poorly received Bride Wars to $20 million. Leap Year is tracking just about the same on RottenTomatoes (13%) but the reviews usually don’t hurt movies such as this all that much. With less in the way of stars and the concept not as appealing Leap Year should see itself make about $12 million.

Based on the best selling novel and starring Michael Cera is the comedy Youth in Revolt. This is a movie that is unlikely to see a big opening but could gain a following in the coming weeks or when it hits DVD. It has been getting good reviews but the R rating could prohibit its success somewhat. Youth in Revolt would do well to open with $7 million.

Opening Predictions
Daybreakers: $16 million
Leap Year: $12 million
Youth in Revolt: $7 million