Box Office Predictions: 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' Roars, 'Maleficent' Could Rule Summer

Box Office Predictions: 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' Roars, 'Maleficent' Could Rule Summer

Another franchise returns, but can it lay claim to Summer’s box office crown?

The race to be Summer’s top grossing domestic film looks to a three-way contest. Maleficent, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Transformers: Age of Extinction remain in the hunt.

This week, can any new releases shake things up?

Sensei’s weekend predictions and revenue results are as follows:

 1. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes ($62 Million)– Buzz is high and early reviews are strong, but those same reviews also note the possibility of the film’s narrative including “political sucker punches” (gun control being the most troubling). That will severely hurt word of mouth. Earlier this year, Non-Stop opened strong, but because of its political controversies, failed to reach the $100 million mark domestically. This time around, this film could see an opportunity to win the Summer box office crown slip away. This franchise entry can only hope that’s not the case.

2. Transformers: Age of Extinction ($17 Million)– A little history here–film has already become the highest grossing movie ever in China (beating Avatar’s previous mark). That may be significant if domestic grosses end up disappointing. Still, expect an easy break of the $200 million domestic mark here.

3. Tammy ($9 Million) This film did disappoint over the holiday frame last week. Despite having the lucrative opening date, film has terrible word of mouth (a “C+” Cinemascore from audiences won’t help), and will struggle to match the box office of previous Summer comedies Neighbors, Think Like a Man Too, and 22 Jump Street.

4. How to Train Your Dragon 2 ($6.4 Million)– Film has now fallen behind the box office pace of the original How to Train Your Dragon. Film opened to some high expectations, but will now struggle to even make the $200 million domestic mark overall.

5. 22 Jump Sreet ($5.8 million) – This comedy sequel has become the year’s highest grossing R-rated feature. This weekend, look for the film to make a run at the $170 million domestic mark.

Checking the Summer box office race.

#. Maleficent ($3.9 Million) – Film has already passed The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Godzilla domestically. Now, it sets its focus on winning the Summer box office crown. Film should land around the $220 million domestic mark this weekend.

#. X-Men: Days Of Future Past ($1.1 Million) – This one should reach the $230 million domestic mark. That may not be high enough to hold off both Maleficent and Transformers: Age of Extinction in the long run.

That’s Sensei’s take. Have a great weekend.

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