-
The Lion King cast (Credit: Disney)
-
by Paul Dergarabedian
Disney’s “The Lion King,” one of the most beloved and also one of the most successful animated films of all-time will roar again with a 3D release that could put it back at the top of the box office charts with $12 million plus. The 1994 release was the 2 highest grossing film of that year, ranks 4 on the all-time domestic animated list and with over $784 million in worldwide revenue is considered one of the most successful family films in cinema history. And, with over 4.7 million fans, you can bet that some of them would want to relive their youth and experience this movie in a new dimension.
-
“Contagion” however will not go down without a fight as the Warner Bros. release will breathe in around $11 million in the wake of its number one debut last week. The ensemble thriller boasts an incredible cast including Matt Damon and an acclaimed director so it should have a solid performance this weekend as its total nears $40 million. Good reviews have also bolstered this movie’s reputation among fans: It currently has a 70 on Metacritic.
The R-rated action crime drama “Drive” starring Ryan Gosling from Film District should zoom into third place with around $10 million. With a terrific trailer that showcases some pretty amazing scenes of stunt driving, plenty of young males will race to theaters this weekend. “Drive” also has the highest Rotten Tomato score out of all the new movies this weekend with a 94 percent.
Sony’s remake of the classic 1971 film “Straw Dogs” which starred Dustin Hoffman is among the newcomers this weekend. The original directed by the legendary Sam Peckinpah has now been updated with a solid cast including James Marsden (in the Hoffman role), “True Blood’s” Alexander Skarsgard and Kate Bosworth. Delivering solid R-rated intensity, these “Dogs” should take a bite of around $9 million out of the box office this weekend.
Sarah Jessica Parker in “I Don’t Know How She Does It” is a PG-13 comedy about a woman who juggles family and a career should provide a nice option for female audiences and bring home around $8 million for The Weinstein Co.
