The Bottom Line: September 30th, 2016: Marky Mark vs. The Funky Bunch

Quick Takes

This weekend sees Mark Wahlberg go head-to-head with Tim Burton’s Peculiar Children. That’s right, folks: It’s Marky Mark vs. The Funky Bunch. In this week’s edition of The Bottom Line, we figure out whether Deepwater Horizon, Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, or Masterminds will become the new box office champion.

Box Office Top Five

The Magnificent Seven opened in first place last weekend with a strong $34.7 million (never underestimate Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt). Meanwhile, Storks took advantage of being the only kids movie around to open in second with $21.3 million. Sully was taken down by Storks (both at the box office, and in real life), and landed in third with $13.5 million. Bridget Jones’s Baby and Snowden round out the top five, with $4.7 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

Here is a look at a few films that are opening on September 30th.

Deepwater Horizon (PG-13) 99 mins.

Based on the real-life events of the BP oil spill, this movie has a lot going for it. Reviews indicate it’s a gripping thriller and a refreshingly serious action movie. It’s based on an event that everyone remembers, and audiences may want to see onscreen. Plus, audiences love Mark Wahlberg. Some have been dismissive of Deepwater Horizon, but I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people and open up at number one. 

Masterminds (PG-13) 90 mins.

Masterminds is the new comedy from director Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) and starring Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson and more. The film has been sitting on the shelf for a year while the studio dealt with a financial crisis, and reviews indicate that it may not have been worth the wait. I’d expect a movie with this cast to do alright business, though, so I’m hedging my bets and saying this opens at number four.

Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children (PG-13) 127 mins.

The Golden God of Hot Topic is back as Tim Burton’s latest drops into theaters. Snark aside, I was a big Burton fan back in the day, and reviews for Miss Peregrine’s indicate that it may not be up there with his best work, but it’s a small return to form for the filmmaker. In any case, the Burton brand is strong, and I expect this will open at number two.

The Bottom Line

Deepwater Horizon will take the top spot, followed by Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children. The Magnificent Seven will drop to number three, while Masterminds will open at number four. Storks will round out the top five.

Movies To Look Forward To:

The Girl on the Train, The Birth of a Nation (October 7th)