Poll: How Much Will 'Star Trek' Make This Weekend?
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, New Releases, Paramount, Remakes and Sequels, Box Office Predictions, Polls
Will young people in space outperform a Canadian dude with claws? No one will know until J.J. Abrams' Star Trek begins screening to the general public tonight, but early reviews continue to be overwhelmingly positive and online advance ticket sales have been brisk, with Fandango claiming in a press release that the film is responsible for 91% of their daily ticket sales. Still, is it only geeks and cult fans who are excited about Star Trek this weekend?
"Let's be realistic: This is not a sure thing," says Logan Hill at Vulture, pointing to the lack of "bankable stars" and his opinion that "it's a reboot of a franchise that's become little more than a punch line to anyone over the age of 25, and simply isn't a firsthand reference for anyone younger." Also, heavy-duty advance online ticket sales were also reported for the R-rated Watchmen, which "underperformed estimates" by drawing (only) $55 million.
Of course, Star Trek is rated PG-13, and is shorter than Watchmen's 163-minute running time. Our own Matt Bradshaw predicted Star Trek would make $82 million this weekend, a few million less than Wolverine's gross last weekend. Other predictions so far have been more modest, ranging from $40 million (Box Office Prophets) to $65 million (Steve Mason at Big Hollywood) to $74 million (Box Office Guru). Variety, however, thinks it can top $100 million.
What do you think? Will Star Trek under perform, drawing only from its fan base? Or will it be an across-the-board, popular smash this weekend? Take our poll and let us know: Which estimate is most likely to be right?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-07-2009 @ 6:17PM
Oblique said...
I say more than 100 million, because since this film appeals to such a vast demographic, that being all the oldschool trekkies and then the younger crowd because of JJ making it look all hip lol. It should do pretty good, its definitely the Iron Man of this summer I believe. Im 24 and never really like star trek or star wars (yea im weird right?) but for some reason I really want to see this movie, probably just all the good things I've heard about it so far.
So hopefully it wont disappoint but really after last weeks release of wolverine can it really do all that worst I highly doubt it.
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5-07-2009 @ 6:41PM
Fullman said...
I'm going to agree with Oblique and say I'm also predicting this will make over $100m this weekend. The early viewings starting tonight in 20 minutes plus the expanded IMAX treatment it's getting, the broad marketing Paramount has done (even heavily marketed on MTV)... all signs pointing towards a big, big weekend.
Also? It's currently at 93% "certified fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes. IIRC, the last big movie to get more than 90% that? Dark Knight.
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5-07-2009 @ 8:21PM
Cam said...
It unfortunately has something going against it: Mother's Day. How many grateful children do you think are going to take their Mom's to 'Star Trek' on Mother's day? So Sunday might be a bust...
still hope it does well though
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5-08-2009 @ 2:51AM
skates said...
Wall-E scored higher than The Dark Knight. Its embarassing if Wolverine wont be beaten on its opening day b.o. but then again people also watch crap.
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5-08-2009 @ 9:55AM
corey 1234 said...
I when to the 9:30 showing at my theater and theater was not full. the movie was ok at best. .
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5-09-2009 @ 1:03PM
matt d. said...
looks like trekkies are taking over the world.... over 100! yeah effing right... try 65-75....
and they had to do a marketing blitz to get past the stigma and get an opening that good....
a 300 million budget for this film including marketing WOW...
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5-09-2009 @ 5:09PM
joyce said...
Thought the film was awsome, saw it at the IMAX Friday . Fast paced action packed. as well as theater packed,should make a 100 mill.
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