MOVIE BOX-OFFICE PREDICTIONS 2018 - BLACK PANTHER -AVENGERS-JURASSIC WORLD- GRINCH-DEADPOOL 2

On Friday, February 16th, I had the pleasure of seeing Marvel’s latest outing Black Panther, and I thought the film was amazing. I have been following director Ryan Coogler’s career since Fruitvale Station, and I believe both Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan have the potential to leave a Denzel Washington/Sidney Poitier-like legacy. With this being the 22nd Marvel film produced by Kevin Feige, some critics wondered if this film could reach the level of success as the previous Marvel film. Well, as of February 19th, the film has grossed 235 million over the four day holiday weekend, making it the biggest opening gross in February history.

With that said, I want to give my box office predictions for what I believe will be the top ten grossing films of 2018.

Avengers: Infinity War

Wow. I never thought we would actually get here. I remember watching a behind the scenes rehearsal clip featuring Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., and Jeff Bridges. I don’t think they even knew it would grow to this 22 films later, and we have something that has never been achieved in a franchise. It’s been reported that this film will have 67 heroes and villains in the film, including Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Panther, Dr. Strange, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. I assume this will be spread across two films. This is definitely a four-quadrant film that will appeal to a broad demographic. The previous two Avengers films and Captain America: Civil War, aka Avengers 2.0, made a combined 4 billion dollars worldwide. This film also will be following the momentum set by Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther.

Prediction: 490 million domestic, 1.3 billion worldwide

1. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

The original Jurassic Park is still in the hearts of many almost 24 years later, and this was proven by the box office with the 2016 Jurassic Park reboot, Jurassic World, with this movie going for more of a horror film. I believe this could breathe even more life into the franchise. I also believe Chris Pratt is the new fun-loving Harrison Ford of this generation, and coming off of Avengers: Infinity Wars, I’m sure he will be. He will help the dinos out box office wise.

Prediction: 500 million domestic, 1.5 billion worldwide

1. Black Panther

With its massive opening of 235 million and current 97 percent rotten tomatoes critic score, Black Panther is something of a phenomenon with this being the biggest debut for a Marvel solo film. Even with 40 percent possible the following week, it will still gross at least 80 million the week after its release. I believe this movie will have some staying power with a streaming release probably around May.

Prediction: 500 million domestic, 1 billion worldwide

1. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

The Harry Potter franchise lives on in this new series of film, five movies to be exact. Fantastic Beast 2 brings in Jude Law as young Albus Dumbledore, and Johnny Depp returns as Grindelwald. With the last film grossing 800 million worldwide along with its older brother franchise grossing over 8 billion, it’s safe to say this film will do well, especially now with more familiar characters being reintroduced.

Prediction: 280 million domestic, 820 million worldwide

1. The Grinch

Illumination is on fire right now with its Despicable Me franchise, and The Secret Life of Pets and Sing did great at the box office for animated films. But here you have a film based on the cartoon they show on TV every Christmas for the past five decades and the successful film starring Jim Carrey in the early 2000s. Now, we have a new version with a twist, showing the Grinch in his early years as layout and illumination animation. It’s possible this could do better than any other film released during the holiday season.

Prediction: 300 million domestic, 800 million worldwide

1. The Incredibles 2

With the last film grossing 600 million worldwide in 2004, I thought we would have gotten a sequel to this film a couple of years later. But here we are 14 years later, and I’m ready to see this movie with my kids. We get to see the Parr family put on their super suits and get back into action. Pixar has had some hits and some just ok films that appeal to children and adults over the last several pictures with Coco, Finding Dory, and Cars 3. Best believe families will be heading to the multiplex to see The Incredibles 2.

Prediction: 300 million domestic, 733 million worldwide

1. Deadpool 2

Ryan Reynolds is back with his foul mouthed, sword-wielding, unicorn-loving superhero with the addition of Domino and Cable, and for one of the directors, John Wick, this will be an excellent counterprogramming to Avengers: Infinity Wars. But with its R rating, many families might hold off until the release of Solo: a Star Wars Story and The Incredibles 2.

Prediction: 300 million domestic, 750 million worldwide

1. Bumblebee

It would appear that the Transformers franchise has lost some steam with the terrible box office of last year’s The Last Knight film. But there is a silver lining in this with Michael Bay stepping away from the director chair and the hiring of Travis Night, the owner and director of LIKA, which produces stop motion animated fair (Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings). With Bumblebee set in the 1980s, maybe a fresh pair of eyes is much needed moving forward. Plus, Bumblee is the fan favorite, so people will show up for him.

Prediction: 250 million domestic, 700 million worldwide

1. Solo: A Star Wars Story

This film has seen nothing but bad days with directors Lord and Millers fired and the casting of Alden Ehrenreich, who some believe is miscast in the role. But there is some light at the end of the tunnel. We have veteran film director Ron Howard behind the lens and Childish Gambino, aka Donald Glover, as Lando Calrissian. The trailer wasn’t terrible, although you could get a perfect read on Alden trying to do his Harrison Ford impression. But maybe we won’t get that, and this will be something new? It’s going up against Avengers: Infinity War and Deadpool 2, but you can’t count out the loyalty of the Star Wars fans.

Prediction: 250 million domestic, 600 million worldwide

1. Ant-Man and the Wasp

It’s been rumored that Ant-Man and Wasp won’t show up in Avengers: Infinity Wars but will definitely join the cast in the 2019 sequel. The new trailers look promising, presenting us with a superhero couple, which is a first for the Marvel cinematic universe. With Paul Rudd and the self-assured Evangeline Lilly, this is sure to be a pleasing middle of the summer movie, the upbeat that we are going to need after the events in Avengers: Infinity War.

Prediction: 200 million domestic, 550 million worldwide