Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is eyeing the top spot.
Warner Bros.’ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits theaters nationwide this Friday (November 18th), and has already racked up $8.8 million from Thursday night showings. The Harry Potter spinoff is expected to earn $30 million on Friday and a whopping $75 million-plus for the weekend from 4,244 theaters.
Written by Potter author J.K. Rowling, the $180 million production is the first of a five-film franchise. The plot of the principal feature, directed by David Yates, follows Newt Scamander, a magizoologist (played by Eddie Redmayne), who ends up bringing chaos to 1920’s New York City when some of his magical creatures are accidentally released.
READ MORE: David Yates Plans to Direct All Five ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Movies
Redmayne stars alongside Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Samantha Morton, Ezra Miller, Ron Perlman and Jon Voight. Currently, the film holds a 76 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics.
The three other new films opening nationwide this weekend include Edge of Seventeen, Bleed For This and Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.
STX’s R-rated coming-of-age drama, Edge of Seventeen, is projected to debut with $6 million at 1,945 theaters. Starring Hailee Steinfeld, the film holds a 95 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics. The Kelly Fremon Craig-directed film follows the story of an awkward teen (Steinfeld) that is dealing with her friend falling for her brother. Blake Jenner and Woody Harrelson also star.
Meanwhile, Open Road’s boxing biopic Bleed For This – starring Miles Teller as Vinny Pazienza – is expected to pick up $3 million at 1,549 theaters for the weekend (currently holds a 63 percent “fresh” Rotten Tomatoes score). It follows the story of the world champion boxer who attempts to make a comeback after a terrible car accident. The film, directed by Ben Younger, also stars Katey Sagal and Aaron Eckhart.
The final weekend debut, Ang Lee’s modern-day war drama Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, may earn somewhere between $1 million and $2 million. It currently holds a 41 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics.
