Will ‘Wonder Woman’ break the $100-million box office this weekend?

2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards - Arrivals

CB went to see Wonder Woman last night! I’m so jelly!!! I’m going to see it this weekend, on Sunday, probably. I asked CB for a little mini-review of WW, and this is what she wrote: “Wonder Woman is a perfect balance of kickass fight scenes, feminism, levity, romance and beautiful scenery. It’s touching, it’s funny and it’s everything the 10 year-old me who never missed an episode hoped it would be.” YAY!! Obviously, everyone is delighted that Wonder Woman is such a great movie, and so well-reviewed. Over the course of the past few weeks, box office analysts keeps hiking up their predictions – it’s wasn’t that long ago when Warner Bros. was going to declare a “win” if Wonder Woman just made $60 million. The predictions have now spiked to $90-100 million. Here’s what Entertainment Weekly says:

It’s been more than 75 years in the making, but Wonder Woman is finally headlining her first major standalone feature this weekend, as the namesake DC Comics adaptation storms roughly 4,100 theaters Friday (with Thursday preshows). While the film’s contemporary DCEU forerunners (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad) opened to well over $100 million across their three-day debuts, industry forecasts have remained a tad conservative on Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman, with the studio expecting an opening in the $70-75 million range.

Still, with some of the best critical reviews for a monolithic superhero picture to date, Wonder Woman has seemingly tapped into a powerful vein, as the narrative surrounding the U.S. political divide has largely been wedged by issues pertaining to gender equality, meaning the $149 million picture is landing at a time when a story about a strong-willed woman fighting back against seemingly insurmountable opposition has more social relevance than ever before.

As we’ve seen in the recent past, critical reviews can make or break a picture at the box office, but when it comes to big-budget tentpoles of the Marvel and DC ilk, these pictures are often review-proof, as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad (44 percent and 40 percent on Metacritic, respectively) earned buckets of cash despite scathing reception from film journalists; On the other hand, Wonder Woman is being hailed as one of the best DC movies of all time, and that certainly can’t hurt its box office prospects.

Historically, action films led by women have performed better in recent years, with all four of Jennifer Lawrence’s Hunger Games films climbing past $100 million since 2012, and two prominent Star Wars titles — The Force Awakens and Rogue One — rocketing to worldwide success with women (Daisy Ridley, Felicity Jones) at the center in 2015 and 2016. Before that, Halle Berry, Jennifer Garner, and Charlize Theron each starred in a high-profile action flop (Catwoman, Elektra, Aeon Flux). Expect Wonder Woman to approach the $100 million mark through Sunday.

[From EW]

That’s what I think too – I think analysts have all decided to be very conservative, because no one wants to look like they’re setting Wonder Woman up to fail. Because if the film makes $90 million, no one wants to say “but it should have made $100 million, this is why we can’t have girls in any movies!!!” All that being said, yes, I think it’s going to break $100 million. I think a lot of studio bros are going to be shocked by the very real hunger for women-led action-adventure-superhero films. And it doesn’t hurt that Warner Bros accidentally fell backwards into making a really good movie too.

2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards - Arrivals

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

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56 Responses to “Will ‘Wonder Woman’ break the $100-million box office this weekend?”

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  1. Jbohac says:

    “Accidentally fell backwards” wahahahahaha

    I am really looking forward to seeing it tomorrow.

    • David says:

      I saw a sneak peek last night. Awesome!

      • Oriane says:

        I saw it and I can confirm it’s great, imho… it’s really well written, it sets up its internal logic and sticks by it, so you can really just follow the excellent action and banter without endless exposition. And it’s well acted too!

      • Margo S. says:

        I just saw it! It was amazing!!!! You have to see it everyone here needs to see it.

  2. KJA says:

    Going to watch it tonight! I really hope it’s good-this film and Black Panther are the two superhero films I really want to do well, both financially and critically

    • LadyMTL says:

      I hope so too, though I can’t see it this weekend. I’ve read a few reviews that say it’s good but not great (Sarah from Cinesnark’s review for LaineyGossip, among others) but it’s currently at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes so maybe it can break the $100 mil mark…I am crossing everything!

    • Megan says:

      Saw it last night. Based on the number of men cheering when WW kicked bad guy butt, I think this movie is going to be a huge hit.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        For some silly reason, that brought tears to my eyes. Wow, I’ve become cynical! It gives me joy to think of men cheering on a female hero.

    • Grant says:

      I saw it last night. I LOVED it. I don’t think it’s just the best DCEU movie (obvi); I think it’s the best superhero movie since the Dark Knight.

  3. Jess says:

    I have tickets to two showings of it tonight, I’ll probably go again this weekend, and then take the kids to see it next weekend. I’ve been waiting decades for this movie and I’m going to enjoy it as much as possible!!

  4. mazzie says:

    *throws all the money at film* Going to see it tonight!

  5. Maria F. says:

    i have to wait a bit until i can see it in Germany, but I am going just to support a female hero.

  6. Jay says:

    Saw it yesterday, both me and my brother loved it! An excellent debut for any gendered super hero, made that much more poignant by the history of female led comic book movies.

  7. Lucy says:

    Yaaaaasssssss!!!!

  8. paranormalgirl says:

    Saw a special midnight screening. Holy crap was it good!

  9. Miss M says:

    Laughing so hard at the ones who said it was going to be a mess… Go Gal! 🙂

    • detritus says:

      Even my curmudgeon heart is very happy about this. I’m going Sunday, you?
      Also to the powers that be, more women’s action /sci if movies please and ty.

      • Miss M says:

        Yay! I was planning to go next week. But my local theater added another screening today. So, I am going tonight, yay!!! 🙂
        More women leading movies (action and all genres), please!!!

    • Bread and Circuses says:

      I was worried it would be a mess simply because the Superman/Batman movies and Suicide Squad were so not-good, and Zach Snyder appeared to have his faintly grey, faintly sexist paws on this too. I just didn’t have any faith that Warner Brothers could manage to not screw this up.

      I am delighted to be wrong. 🙂

  10. Malificent says:

    My 10-year-old son is beyond excited to see this movie, as am I. (And he’s very picky about superheroes.) And the best part is that we haven’t had a single conversation about the hero being a woman. He just takes it on faith that women can be kickass and save the world. When I mentioned that some people thought the movie might not sell well with a female hero, he was completely mystified.

  11. Tania says:

    Went to see it last night in Kansas (home state of Superman!) and the theater wasn’t sold out but was packed!

    I took my Mom and we both loved the movie! The first half hour or so was amazing, seeing strong women train and then strong women fight! And strong woman love each other and believe in good. It’s not the movie we deserve (let’s face it, we’ve sent our country down the crap hole, we don’t deserve anything nice) but it’s the movie we need. Not since the Batman trilogy have I absolutely loved a super hero movie so much!

    We left the movie happy. We saw it in 3D and my fiance does not like 3D movies so we’re going again tomorrow to see it in regular format and I can’t wait!

    I have been telling every woman at work today to go see it!

  12. Josie says:

    Saw it last night with the family — it was very good story-telling, and so much fun to look at. Gal Gadot, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen — I’m so happy Patty Jenkins did it right. And Chris Pine is as likeable as he has ever been.

  13. Incredulous says:

    Check out Atomic Blonde as well, the trailer looks great (and brutal).

    • Prairiegirl says:

      Yes, my husband and I are all over this one too.

    • Kay says:

      for some reason I think Atomic Blonde represents everything what’s wrong with female lead roles. Charlize is a diva and makes it all about her, Gal is the opposite.

      • Incredulous says:

        Mebbe. I look at it from a fighty side and just go yes – mostly bang on, she throws a terrible knee but follows up with a fantastic throw – I like when stuff looks right. This movie looks cool.

      • Bread and Circuses says:

        Yeah, that movie looks too male gaze-y to be good. I think I’ll just go re-watch Charlize being Furiosa a few times while I wait for the reviews to come out. 🙂

  14. Prairiegirl says:

    My 13-year old son and I are going after his exams are done next weekend. Wish we could go sooner though – stupid school schedules still messing up my life!

  15. V4Real says:

    @LadyMTL

    I disagree with the critic Sarah. The movie was great. It has just the right balance of everything to it. It wasn’t saturated to death with CGI. From the tone to the scenery to the plot twist that I didn’t see coming was just fantastic. I would put this up there with Captain America” The First Avenger if you compare it to a superhero origin story. Gal carried this film and she was good and believable as this character.

    I took 8 teenage girls to see the movie and they loved it. I’m seeing it again tonight with my family. I might even see it a third time.

  16. a reader says:

    The answer is YES IT WILL!

    Saw it last night… it was SO GOOD!!! Perfection!! I’ve been thinking about it and I would not change a thing. Gal was amazing, the movie itself had so much heart, and seeing a female heroine on screen kicking serious arse was so empowering! I cried three times, true story!

    • Grant says:

      I love it! I welled up at multiple points myself. I’m a dude and even I felt empowered.

      • a reader says:

        That makes my heart so happy Grant! 😀

        My friend and I both choked up. I had tears streaming down my face during the scene where she finally gets to the front… she just KICKED SO MUCH ASS and I loved it <3

  17. Izzy says:

    DC changed their opening montage – it’s more sophisticated looking now, more like Marvel’s.

    DC has managed what Marvel hasn’t yet – or isn’t interested in – a female-led superhero movie, made and marketed for the female buying power.

    I feel like DC is finally starting to find its footing in the superhero market. If they can keep this momentum going, Marvel is going to have a rough time mansplaining why they put Captain Marvel on the back burner for another Ant-Man movie when women have been clamoring for more geared to them, for years.

    *smugly adjusts my Wonder Woman adult Underoos*

    • KLO says:

      Well I agree with basically everything. But please dont be hard on Ant Man. It was basically the biggest positive surprise I have had in a movie theatre in years,

  18. CdnMagician says:

    The real question is will it be profitable. That will hinge on the international market, and I have doubts as to whether WW has much international appeal.

    Personally, I’m in such a weird place with this movie. I have no interest in it and wish they had have cast a different ‘actress’, but want it to do well for the sake of female representation. It’s so stupid though how every movie with a female lead becomes a bellwether for any future movies staring women.

    • KLO says:

      I think it will be profitable. The campaign so far has been huge for the movie. I honestly did not know anything about WW before I accidentally bought a WW sweatshirt from a second-hand shop in London a few years ago. Nobody really knows WW in Europe. I am originally from eastern Europe, nobody gives a shit about the American superheroes here besides Spiderman, Batman and Iron Man but the DC and Marvel movies are still successful because they are just fun movies.
      But the movie is getting great reviews and went to see it and liked it a lot.

      It is a good point about women constantly having to prove themselves. Well, it is like that in the real-life workplace, why not “everywehere else”? smh 🙂

    • Maddie says:

      We went on Friday (Aust here) and there were quite a few other people in the theatre. Given it was middle of a weekday, it was an older mix but it was heartening to see husband/wife, mother/daughter and friends enjoying it. I have to say it’s one of the few times the theatre had a broad range of ages there, including a couple of women who were well into their 70’s by the look. It was a great movie and I’d pay to see it again, no question.

  19. Yeahright says:

    Just got back from second screening in 12 hours! Lets get in formation!
    It was a fantastic film!

  20. Ayra. says:

    I really can’t wait for Black Panther now, they’ll be taking all of my coins and I’m not even mad.

  21. K says:

    Went with a friend today, and we both loved it!

  22. Hiccup says:

    This is interesting, it’s getting pretty crap reviews in my country (Sweden) because of zack Snyders involvement. Most film critics here are unimpressed by the supposed feministic aspects saying it’s still juvenile boys room stuff and silly accents and not exactly a woman’s movie . Everyone thinks gal gadot is great though! I hope they’re wrong, I love superhero movies 🙂

    • Yawn says:

      They’re wrong… the movie is amazing and Gal is an excellent Diana Prince… saw it today and will be watching it again tomorrow… no Pirates for me, this movie deserves a second and third viewing!

    • KLO says:

      You know what, I think all of that does not really matter, what matters is that the lead is a woman and she carries it well. I personally thought Gal Gadot was great in the movie, she made the character earnest and beautiful and life-like.

  23. Macheath says:

    Saw it tonight. Going to watch it again. The feels! Loved Gal Gadot, but I’ve had a massive girl crush on her for ages. She really brought the character and her motivations to life. Chris Pine really surprisingly stole my heart. Great movie. I enjoyed his Captain Kirk but was never invested until now. He is a beautiful and talented man.

    • KLO says:

      God fricking hell I wanted to reply but it would have been a major bummer-spoiler. Steeveeennnn!

  24. BearcatLawyer says:

    I saw it this afternoon and loved it. I never see a movie twice in a theatre, but I may make an exception for this! GO. You will not be disappointed.

  25. The Recluse says:

    This is killing me! I have to wait to see it on Wednesday and I so wanted to see it today, but I couldn’t talk my Mom into taking a day off from work. She could have telecommuted before and after the movie easily, but no luck. It would have seemed rude to go without her when she wants to see it too.
    Trying so hard not to pout my face off here.

  26. Lady D says:

    Local drive-in double feature this weekend, Wonder Woman followed by Arthur. Love the drive-in, they’re so much fun. You always have a comfortable seat with your pillow, or you car-hop with friends, snacks from home if you wish, a joint, Thermos of coffee or wine if that’s what you like, or you know buy popcorn, french fries, soft ice-cream, Twizzlers, pop, etc.

  27. KLO says:

    I was pleasantly surprised by how they handled the romance part of the movie. It was not missing anything and still watchable with small children. Well done!

  28. baghag says:

    Went last night, saw it in 3-D with two male friends – it was AMAZING!!! We loved it! I am still thinking about how the cinematography and action were so great. I am now officially a Gal Gadot fan!
    I had the underoos and swimsuit as a child. I watched the Linda Carter version growing up. I wasn’t too familiar with Gal, but she IS Wonder Woman. I cannot imagine anyone else in the role.

  29. WendyNerd says:

    I have seen it twice.

  30. Otaku Fairy says:

    We saw it today and, I liked Batman vs. Superman but this was definitely better. I know some people didn’t like the idea of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman at first, but to me she plays the role really well. And this movie gave me a little bit of an appreciation for Chris Pine too.