‘Frozen 2’ To Near $284M By End Of Thanksgiving Stretch, ‘Knives Out’ Eyes $25M+

It’s going to be a really rich week for Disney’s Frozen 2, so exhibitors expect a lot of popcorn sales.

Let’s start with the build of it all: The pic’s official weekend came in at $130.2M, which as we’ve been sayin’ is the best animated pic launch ever in November. Today, with 41% of K-12 schools out and 14% of colleges, I understand Monday will deliver around $16M for the sequel directed by Jennifer Lee- and Chris Buck. By the end of Thanksgiving, which will see business during the evening shows after dinner, Frozen 2 per industry estimates should stand at $200M stateside; that’s bolstered by all schools being off on Thursday and Friday. Don’t forget, Black Friday is one of the most lucrative moviegoing days of the year. Tack on a second estimated weekend of $84M, -35%, and Frozen 2 could climb to $284M in 10 days.

‘Frozen 2’ Review: Disney’s Hottest ‘Toon Is Back, Maybe A Little Less Magical But Still Blissfully Musical

Lionsgate/Media Rights Capital’s Rian Johnson-directed whodunit Knives Out should fill the bill for guys and older moviegoers. The pic already bagged $2M from 936 theaters over Friday and Saturday night previews. What’s notable about that is that most paid previews of late are boosted by Fandango, Atom Tickets or Amazon marketing. Knives Out was an organic push by major and regional exhibition partners. Previews start again Tuesday night at 7 PM. Tracking is seeing $25M-$29M over the Wednesday-to-Sunday stretch, but $30M+ isn’t unreasonable for this 96% certified fresh ensemble with Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana de Armas and more. The pic, booked at 3,300 locations, cost $40M before digital print and advertising costs. Knives Out also is breaking out in nine offshore territories including the United Kingdom, Australia, France, New Zealand, South Africa and Benelux.

‘Knives Out’ Trailer: Daniel Craig Wants To Know Whodunit In Rian Johnson’s Agatha Christie Homage

Universal is opening Makeready/Bron Studios’ African American drama Queen & Slim, starring Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith about a couple’s first date that’s thrown into disarray when a cop pulls them over. The pic, financed by Makeready for around $17M is looking to gross $12M-$16M over five days. RT score is at 85% fresh. Box office comparisons, which are all three-day debuts, include Focus Features’ BlacKkKlansman ($10.8M), 20th Century Fox’s Widows ($12.3M opening), Lionsgate’s Acrimony ($17.1M opening) and Universal’s Breaking In ($17.6M). Melina Matsoukas directed the feature, which was written by Lena Waithe with story by James Frey and Waithe. The pic opens Wednesday.

‘Queen & Slim’ Trailer: A True ‘Ride Or Die’ Couple On The Run

Meanwhile, Sony/TriStar’s A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is looking at a five-day of $13M after a $13.2M opening. Broken out, the movie starring Tom Hanks as Mister Rogers and Matthew Rhys as his interviewer is looking at a second weekend of $8.5M, -37%.