The Jungle Book is expected to deliver a third-straight win at the box office for Walt Disney Co. this weekend, continuing a hot-streak for the entertainment giant.
The studio’s retelling of the classic Rudyard Kipling stories is likely to collect $30 million (Dh110 million) to $35 million in ticket sales Friday through Sunday in the US and Canada, adding to an already ferocious domestic total of $192 million so far. Directed by Jon Favreau, the $175 million live-action and computer-generated production has soared to $544 million in worldwide receipts.
Disney is enjoying a strong run at the box office — one that is expected to continue on May 1 when its latest Marvel Studios picture Captain America: Civil War hits American multiplexes. The company’s other 2016 blockbuster, Zootopia, has grossed more than $900 million globally so far.
Analysts say both Zootopia and The Jungle Book have a shot at reaching the coveted $1-billion mark.
The Jungle Book has little competition standing in its way this weekend before it hands off the baton to the Marvel superheroes.
Warner Bros. will make a play for fans of Comedy Central’s Key & Peele with the release of the R-rated action comedy Keanu, in which comic duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele play friends trying to save a stolen kitten. Peele teamed with Key & Peele collaborator Alex Rubens to write the screenplay, which is also directed by the show’s Peter Atencio.
The feature, which cost $15 million to make, is expected to gross up to $15 million through Sunday, according to people who have seen pre-release audience surveys, though the studio is projecting a more conservative opening of about $10 million.
Two other wide releases will try to lure very different moviegoing audiences: the romantic comedy Mother’s Day (for it’s review, click here) and the video game adaptation Ratchet & Clank.
Open Road Films’ Mother’s Day — starring Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Jason Sudeikis and Kate Hudson — is expected to bring in about $10 million over the weekend, banking on females to flock to the cinemas.
Ratchet & Clank, an animated big-screen version of a popular Sony PlayStation game, should haul in $10 million or less through Sunday. It is being distributed by Focus Features’ Gramercy label.
