Thursday Night Previews: New Releases Are Not Exactly Reaching the Stars

September 20, 2019

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is going to top expectations this weekend, unless something really strange happens. The film earned $2.1 million during last night’s previews, making it easily the best of this weekend’s crop. (It also made $2.2 million in previous paid previews, so it is off to a $4.3 million start.) Additionally, its reviews are solid, even if its average score is below 7 out of 10. Finally, its target audience isn’t the type to rush out to see a movie opening night, so this start is even more impressive. I am a little concerned that the Fanboy Effect is in play here, despite the target audience, so keep that in mind.

Ad Astra managed $1.5 million on Friday and, while its Tomatometer score isn’t the best of the weekend, its average review is better. It is also aimed at a more mature target demographic than most Sci-fi films are, so that should help its legs. It is also the only new release that is based on an original IP and that should also help its legs. That said it isn’t guaranteed to top our $19 million prediction, but it should at least come close.

Rambo: Last Blood only managed $1.3 million, which is weaker than Angel Has Fallen, but not by so much that Last Blood is in trouble. In fact, given its reviews and its similar target audience, the two films should have very similar legs putting this movie on pace for between $18 million and $19 million over the full weekend.

Filed under: Midnight Previews, Ad Astra, Angel Has Fallen, Downton Abbey, Rambo: Last Blood