Let’s preview the movie box office for the weekend of May 21, 2021. We anticipate another solid weekend for the latest chapter in the SAW series, Spiral. Lionsgate’s release brought in $8.7 million in its opening frame last weekend. Spiral led the pack with a location average of $3,104. Interestingly, Spiral played at less locations (2,811) than Wrath of Man (3,007) or Those Who Wish Me Dead (3,188).
Interest in Spiral started to climb Thursday evening as moviegoers started to make weekend plans. A scan of AMC Theatres across the country showed some sellouts, such as the 7:45pm showing at the AMC Wheaton Mall 9.
Over the past week, Spiral has seen the most interest, according to Google Trends, from Nevada, Texas, California, Illinois and Michigan. We predict a weekend of at least matching Wrath of Man’s $3.7 million haul from last weekend.
Toni Collette’s Dream Horse is a new entry at the box office today.
Experience the inspiring true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely race horse bred by small town bartender, Jan Vokes (Toni Collette). With very little money and no experience, Jan convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to help raise Dream and compete with the racing elites.
Dream Horse also stars Damian Lewis, Joanna Page and Peter Davison. Euros Lyn directs words by Neil McKay. Given the limited release, $1.5 million-$2 million would be a success.
Looking Ahead
A Quiet Place Part II will hit theaters May 28. The horror thriller is already rocking Rotten Tomatoes with a 92% on the Tomatometer. The John Krasinski directed sequel stars the man himself in addition to Emily Blunt, Cilian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou.
Fans have been awaiting over a year for the horror sequel. The movie was originally set to premiere in New York and Los Angeles in March 2020. Then it was shifted to September 2021 before moving forward to May 28.
Disney’s Cruella will also bow on May 28. That reinvention of the classic will also be available to stream on Disney+ with Premier Access. Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Emily Beecham and Kirby Howell-Baptiste star.
Americans More Likely to Return to Movie Theaters
The percentage of Americans likely to go to a movie theater has been trending up over the past month. Ipsos has a running public poll around COVID-19 consumer behavior. Those “likely” to go to a movie theater this summer moved to 49% in the May 11-12 wave of results. A month earlier, April 13-14, only 44% said they were “likely” to see a movie in a theater.
Ipsos shows a similar trend for other entertainment events. Those likely to attend an outdoor concert moved from 36% on April 13-14 to 45% in the latest May 11-12 results. Sports events and indoor concerts are seeing a similar trend.
