This weekend promises a cinematic showdown as four major movies hit theaters, each vying for the top spot at the box office. Paramount’s family-friendly “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” Lionsgate’s gory and R-rated “Saw X,” 20th Century’s sci-fi epic “The Creator,” and Sony’s Wall Street-Reddit saga “Dumb Money” are set to captivate audiences and dominate the big screen.
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is poised to lead the pack with an estimated opening between $18 million to $20 million. However, lurking closely behind is Saw X, with projections ranging from $15 million to $18 million, and some even daring to suggest it could climb as high as $20 million to $25 million, potentially overtaking the lovable PAW Patrol pups. The excitement for “Saw X” was palpable even before its official release, as it raked in $2 million in Thursday previews at the box office.
Based on the immensely popular children’s TV series, “PAW Patrol” follows a team of courageous search and rescue dogs on their mission to save the town of Adventure City. The star-studded voice cast includes talents like McKenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Kim Kardashian, Chris Rock, and James Marsden. The first film in the franchise debuted in 2021 with a solid $13 million, while also embracing a simultaneous release on Paramount+ due to the pandemic. With a production budget of $30 million, this sequel aspires to surpass the original’s performance and provide wholesome entertainment for families.
Saw X is another contender set to exceed its predecessors. Tobin Bell, reprising his iconic role as the serial killer Jigsaw, returns for the tenth installment in the franchise. This new chapter unfolds chronologically between the original “Saw” and “Saw II.” With a budget of $13 million, “Saw X” is on track to outperform its recent predecessors, such as 2021’s “Spiral” with an $8.7 million opening, and potentially even 2017’s “Jigsaw,” which opened at $16.6 million.
Meanwhile, The Creator, starring the talented John David Washington, offers an intriguing sci-fi experience under the direction of Gareth Edwards. This AI-controlled drama is expected to secure an impressive $16 million to $19 million at the box office, making it a strong contender for the third-place spot this weekend.
Lastly, Dumb Money delves into the Wall Street-Reddit showdown of 2021, featuring a star-studded cast including Seth Rogen, Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, and America Ferrera. The film is projected to earn between $5 million to $8 million during its wide release.
As these cinematic giants clash at the box office, it’s a thrilling weekend for movie enthusiasts. Families will be charmed by the delightful antics of PAW Patrol, horror aficionados will embrace the return of Jigsaw, sci-fi enthusiasts will journey into the world of AI-controlled drama, and finance buffs will relive the GameStop stock saga. Regardless of the genre, this weekend promises an array of entertainment options for audiences of all tastes and preferences.