The North American weekend box office will get a little fuzzier as “Kung Fu Panda 3” stands to top sales from Friday (January 29) through Sunday (January 31). The animated film, which follows Po the panda as he reunites with his long-lost father, has earned mixed reviews from critics. The New York Daily News wrote, “Unfortunately, looks aren’t everything. The plot is plodding and predictable.” The Washington Post was kinder, saying “The directors…make sure to let Po stay the charming bumbler he’s always been. That’s what makes him such an earnest, lovable hero.” The film is expected to earn 49 million dollars during its debut weekend.
Also new this week is “The Finest Hours,” about a 1952 Coast Guard rescue mission. The film, which stars Chris Pine and Casey Affleck, hasn’t earned great reviews. USA Today wrote, “The rescue drama The Finest Hours rocks the boat in terms of blizzard-blitzed sea thrills but leaves you cold with its side love story.” It’s expected to earn 10 million dollars.
Also opening over the weekend is the “Fifty Shades of Grey” parody “Fifty Shades of Black.” The spoof from the Wayans Brothers has not been reviewed for critics yet, but is on track to earn 9 million dollars.
Holding over from previous weeks is “The Revenant,” which should see another 11 million added to its global earnings of 232 million dollars; and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which is expected to add another 10 million to its international haul of 1.9 billion dollars.
