New Movies July 22: Star Trek and Ice Age
by EG
Two new big-budget movies and one smaller movie will debut in theaters this weekend, giving moviegoers yet more difficult choices to make at a summer box office already filled with strong films. At the end of the weekend, the top film is likely to be a new sci-fi sequel, but given the unpredictability of the summer so far, anything could happen.
The first of the week's new movies is Star Trek Beyond, the third film in J.J. Abrams' reimagining of the Star Trek franchise. This installment is getting positive critical reviews and steady social media buzz, and predictions from most observers say that it will probably take first place for the weekend with earnings in the $50 to $60 million range.
The second new movie this week is another sequel. Ice Age: Collision Course is the fifth installment in the animated franchise, and social media activity surrounding the film has been strong leading into the weekend. It's getting terrible reviews from critics, though, and considering how many big animated movies are still in theaters, Ice Age could have hard time gaining traction. Expect it to take in between $30 and $35 million.
The week's third new movie is the low-budget (but very well-reviewed) horror film Lights Out. It's expected to take in $10 to $15 million, which would be an excellent performance for a film that cost only about $5 million to make.