It’s been a record-breaking summer at the box office thus far, which has largely been dominated by Universal Pictures. The studio holds three of the top-five grossing movies this year,Jurassic World(#1, $635.9 million domestic),Furious 7(#3, $351 million) andMinions(#5, $303.9 million), and as the summer season winds down, the studio will most likely squeeze in anotherbox officehit withStraight Outta Compton. TheN.W.A.biopic has already scored rave reviews from the nation’s critics (92% “Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes), which we think will translate to box office success this weekend. It is also going into theaters with a lot of fan awareness, with it’s themes of police violence resonating strongly in today’s current social climate.
Aside from the rave reviews,Straight Outta Comptononly has one real competitor this weekend, Warner Bros.' spy-thrillerThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.. While that movie is pulling in admirable reviews (68% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes), it is also opening in roughly 700 fewer theaters thanStraight Outta Compton.The Man from U.N.C.L.E.does have a higher star-power factor, boasting well-known actors (Henry Cavill,Armie Hammer) and rising stars (Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki) alike, whileStraight Outta Comptonis comprised largely of “unproven” talent, at least at the box office. Still, with all that being said,Straight Outta Comptonwill run away with the top box office spot in a landslide, in part, because it’s a perfect time for the story ofN.W.A.to be told, and, in part, because more people can relate to and identify withDr. DreandIce Cubethan Illya Kuryakin and Napoleon Solo.
Straight Outta Comptoncould very well be the the last big hit of thesummer movieseason, with many analysts predicting the biopic opening around $40 million this weekend, but we’re pegging it at $46.2 million, whileThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.will pull in $15.5 million in its opening weekend. Another benefit of opening in mid-August is there is less and less major competition throughout August and September, especially sinceFantastic Fourbombed last weekend. It could very well go strong throughout the fall, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Last weekend’s top two movies,Mission: Impossible Rogue NationandFantastic Four, will drop to the third and fourth spots, taking in a projected $13.2 and $10.1 million, respectively.Mission: Impossible Rogue Nationwill have another spy movie to contend with inThe Man from U.N.C.L.E., andFantastic Four’s underwhelming opening already secured its status as a box office bomb, and it won’t get any better in the weeks to come. While they won’t crack the top 10, barring a miracle, indie moviesMistress America, People, Places, Things and We Come as Friends are opening this weekend in limited release, and we’ll keep you posted on how they fared this Sunday, when the box office estimates are released.
Straight Outta Comptonis produced by former rap partners and long-time friendsDr. DreandIce Cube. WhileDr. Drehas never had much success at the box office, appearing in film as varied as the low-budget remake The Wash and the Oscar-winningTraining Day,Ice Cubehas proven himself to be a box office draw time and time again. He made his major motion picture debut in 1991’sBoyz N the Hood, which helped shape the look and tone ofStraight Outta Comptonin a lot of ways. And some fans are likely to see the biopic for those nostalgic reasons.Ice Cubealso found tremendous success with hisFridayfranchise. The original film’s director,F. Gary Gray, is back behind the lens for the story of N.W.A. Last year,Ice Cubeappeared in the hit action comedyRide Along, which arrived at number one on the box office charts, with a sequel,Ride Along 2coming this January. He also hasBarbershop 3set for next year, which will continue that iconic comedy franchise. Even though he doesn’t appear in the main part ofStraight Outta Compton, it’s clear thatIce Cubeis a box office draw.
And then there is the social unrest in Ferguson, Missouri this week, which is drawing a lot of media attention, as police face off against citizens after the brutal slaying of a teen accused of firing off a shotgun during a protest. N.W.A.’s ‘F*** tha Police’ has become an anthem on the streets, and interest is at an all-time high in the subject of police brutality. Though it depicts events from over 20 years ago, the message behindStraight Outta Comptonis stronger than ever. And people will surely go to the theaters to earn more about this unique band’s histories and struggles with authority.
Next week, we’ll break down four new movies coming out in wide release, Lionsgate’sAmerican Ultra, starringKristen StewartandJesse Eisenberg, 20th Century Fox’svideo gameadaptationHitman: Agent 47, starringRupert FriendandZachary Quinto, and Focus Features’horror moviesequelSinister 2, starringShannyn Sossamon. Also opening in limited release is Digging for Fire,Grandma, Learning to Drive andShe’s Funny That Way. Which is these new releases will take the top spot at the box office next weekend? Let us know what you think, after you check out our predicted top 10 for this weekend.
