Can 'Crazy Rich Asians' Hold Off 'The Happytime Murders'?
by EG
Will The Happytime Murders be able to take the number-one spot from Crazy Rich Asians at this weekend's box office? It depends on how many moviegoers are intrigued by the idea of dirty-talking puppets. Read on for predictions.
In a late-summer comedy showdown of sorts, The Happytime Murders goes up against romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians at the weekend box office.
The race could be close if the R-rated Happytime Murders, starring Melissa McCarthy as a detective in a world that's inhabited by both humans and puppets, overperforms tracking, which shows the black comedy opening in the $13 million-$15 million for STXfilms.
Jon M. Chu and Warner Bros.' Crazy Rich Asians, which topped last weekend with $26.5 million, could earn as much as $16 million-$18 million in its sophomore outing. The film is groundbreaking for featuring an all-Westernized Asian cast, and posted one of the best debuts for a rom-com in years (opening midweek, its five-day debut was $35.3 million). A sequel is already moving forward.
Happytime Murders is directed by Brian Henson, son of the late Jim Henson who created the Muppets. The story follows a private puppet detective (Bill Barretta) who re-teams with his former human partner (McCarthy) to solve the murder of his brother by a serial killer who is now targeting the castmembers of a former TV show.
Most reviewers haven't warmed to Happytime Murders, which currently shows a 29 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film's budget was $40 million.
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.
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