As a winter storm hits most of the country, it leaves many either bracing for impact or digging themselves out of the snow. Two new movie releases are hoping to provide a much-needed sizzle for moviegoers who are up for heading out to their local theatres.
According to Variety, Lionsgate released Moonfall this weekend from Roland Emmerich, a disaster epic and one of the most successful purveyors of cinematic destruction. The other release this weekend was Paramount’s Jackass Forever, the latest feature in the long-running franchise in which Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and Wee Man risk their lives, limbs, and other extremities in the name of comedy.
Jackass Forever proved to be the stronger hit during its Thursday previews showing, bringing in $1.7 million. The film’s smaller budget of $10 million to produce is expected anywhere to rise anywhere between $15 million to $20 million from 3,590 theatres in its North American debut.
As for Moonfall, the film that cost $140 million to make, only netted $700,000 in previews. However, it’s projected to earn $10 million to $12 million within its inaugural weekend. Either way, the revenue is probably not going to make the film a financial winner, although Emmerich’s previous films such as 2012 and Independence Day tend to do better overseas.
The question leans toward the weather, and whether or not the storms expected to hit the Northeast will affect ticket sales. In already depressing grosses, over 300 theatres were closed on Thursday due to major storms that moved through the Midwest en route to the Eastcoast.
Jackass Forever comes in with a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, a hit with the critics, while Moonfall has only a 42%. Some critics argued that the film sits firmly in the so-bad-it’s-good category. Moonfall stars Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, John Bradley, Michael Peña, and Donald Sutherland.
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