We skipped our box office predictions last week because Couples Retreat was the only wide release, and, well, what good is a competition with only one competitor? This week, though, the game changes – and I'd say "Wild Things" is a pretty good name for our theme heading into the weekend. Let's check out the players …
What's the Scoop: Visionary director Spike Jonze brings us this adaptation of the beloved book about a boy named Max who escapes his dysfunctional household in order to shack up with a group of emotional monsters on a far-away island.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: Since the book it's based on is one of those standards for every kid growing up, the built-in audience for this flick is pretty massive. Not to mention some heavy publicity and great reviews – both of which could very well help snag a number one spot at the box office for this creature feature.
What's the Scoop: After a plea bargain sets his family's killers free, an ordinary man (Gerard Butler) takes matters into his own hands.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: Good buzz and the solid pairing of Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler could give those looking for tight, well-made thriller something to chew on over the weekend. Not everyone will be itching to join the Wild Rumpus…
What's the Scoop: A remake of the 1987 horror film about an evil stepfather who's up to no good.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: Not exactly the type of film for those kids whose parents just went through a messy divorce, but it might be a swell ticket for those kids who currently live with (and despise) their parents' new husband/wife.
My Prediction: While Couples Retreat will still be wooing rom-com fans, I think the winner this week will be Where the Wild Things Are because warm nostalgia and big furry animals beats Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler any day of the week.
Now it's your turn – sound off in our poll below, and let us know who you think will win the weekend…
Erik is a leading movie commentator who has worked for outlets such as AOL Moviefone and Movies.com.
Celebrating 50 Years of JAWS!
Get the Beneath the Surface Bundle for a movie ticket to see JAWS return to the big screen, plus an exclusive limited-edition poster.
*Beneath the Surface Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice.You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. Poster will ship in August. Please use a physical U.S. address where the poster shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/beneath-the-surface-bundle
Commemorate one final night at Downton with The Grand Finale Bundle including a Movie Ticket and Limited-Edition Top Hat Popcorn Bucket keepsake.
*The Grand Finale Bundle is non-refundable. While supplies last; Limited time offer. This offer is redeemable for one Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Bundle (“Bundle”). Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Movie Ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Popcorn not included. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a Bundle. The popcorn bucket will begin shipping in the month of September. Please use a physical address where the item can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. Valid only in the U.S. and D.C., excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one (1) Bundle per person. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/the-grand-finale-bundle.
Buy a ticket to The Sound of Music 60th Anniversary, get 20% off The Sound of Music picture disc vinyl.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase at least one movie ticket to ‘The Sound of Music 60th Anniversary’ between 9:00am PT on 8/13/25 and 11:59pm PT on 9/17/24. Purchaser will receive a post purchase email containing 1 Craft Recordings Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for 20% off the purchase of The Sound of Music picture disc vinyl. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires, and can no longer be used, on 9/30/25. Code must be entered at checkout of picture disc vinyl purchase. Void where prohibited. Offer valid in U.S only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket to Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, get This is Spinal Tap for $5 on Fandango at Home!
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 8:00am PT on 8/19/25 and 11:59pm PT on 9/15/25, at least one movie ticket to ‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing 1 Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of 'This is Spinal Tap' for $5 in My Offers in your account on http://fandangoathome.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 9/17/25 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket to Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps, get 20% off The Fantastic Four: First Steps Main Theme 7” Vinyl
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 6:00am PT on 8/8/25 and 11:59pm PT on 9/5/25 and purchase at least one movie ticket to ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Purchaser will receive a post purchase email containing a link (“Link”) to the Disney Music Emporium website that is good for 20% off the purchase of the Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps Main Theme 7” Vinyl. Link expires, and can no longer be used, at 11:59pm PT on 9/5/25. Limit 2 purchases per Link. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive the link to the discount. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. This offer is subject to Fandango’s terms and policies at https://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies and the Link is subject to Disney’s terms and policies, at https://disneytermsofuse.com/
Purchase a ticket to Disney’s Freakier Friday and receive 50% off a 4-pack of tickets to the Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase a ticket to ‘Freakier Friday’ between 12:01am PT on 8/11/25 and 11:59pm PT on 9/8/25. Purchaser will receive a post purchase email containing one (1) promotional code (“Code”) that is redeemable for 50% off up to two (2) 4-packs of tickets of select seats for the Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour. Offer excludes ticket purchases for shows in Philadelphia, New York City, Belmont Park, Rosemont, Newark, Boston, Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Orlando, and Detroit. Availability is limited in Indianapolis, Baltimore, Greensboro, Raleigh, Atlanta, Sunrise, Houston, and Austin. Orders must be in multiples of 4 tickets for offer to be applied, up to a total of 8 tickets (in other words, Code will provide 50% off a purchase of 4 tickets or 8 tickets). Codes will stop being distributed on the earlier of (i) Freakier Friday no longer being in theaters, (ii) the conclusion of the Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour, or (iii) 11:59pm PT on 9/8/25. Code expires, and can no longer be used, at 11:59pm PT on 9/15/25. Limit one Code per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. Void where prohibited. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.