The box office contest each week is getting more and more aggressive as new films of high quality enter the marketplace. Last week saw both The Social Network and Let Me In (two of the year's best) duke it out for number one, with the former taking the top spot easily, and the latter not finding much love at all (which is a shame because it really is this year's best horror movie so far). Not surprisingly, October will see a lot of scary movies hit theaters, and this upcoming weekend is no exception. Wes Craven (Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street) debuts his latest, while a baby rom-com and an uplifting horse flick all launch attacks against that Facebook movie in the hopes of becoming this week's box office champion. Let's take a look at the new competition:
What's the Scoop: Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel star as two extreme opposites who despise one another, but are brought together when their mutual friends die in an accident and name them as the guardians of their baby. Insert a few poop jokes and a montage of them falling in love, and you've got yourself a movie!
Why It Might Win the Weekend: You have to admit the trailers are cute and funny at times, but this may not be the perfect date movie for those who don't want to think about having kids for a good while. Thus, it will be competing pretty strongly against our next film for a similar audience.
What's the Scoop: Diane Lane stars as real-life horse owner Penny Chenery, who, in 1973, watched her horse Secretariat win the Triple Crown.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: Uplifting sports-related stories tend to do pretty well, and it's pretty obvious they're trying to go for what we call "The Blind Side Effect," with the pretty female in a role usually taken on by men, etc. … Plus, who doesn't like horses?
What's the Scoop: A serial killer returns to his hometown after a bunch of teenagers apparently bring him back from the grave on his birthday.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: With Wes Craven at the helm, it's hard to absolutely ignore this film, especially since Craven is responsible for some of our all-time favorite horror movies.
My Prediction: I'm of the belief that The Social Network will be riding high off last week's opening weekend buzz, giving it one more weekend up at the top of the box office chart. If it fails, look for Life as We Know It to slide in there with a win.
Now it's your turn – which film do you think will win the weekend at the box office?
Erik is a leading movie commentator who has worked for outlets such as AOL Moviefone and Movies.com.
Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn
Boxing’s fastest hands meet a second-generation contender. See Garcia defend his title against Benn on the big screen. Get tickets for ‘Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn’ now!
Buy a ticket to Mutiny, get the Jason Statham 15-Film Collection for $15.
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 6am PT on 8/5/26 and 11:59pm PT on 9/7/26, at least one (1) movie ticket to ‘Mutiny’. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of the Jason Statham 15-Film Collection Bundle for $15 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) 9/10/26 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one (1) 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.
Rise up. Down with taxes. Use code RISEORDIE and we'll help cover the sales tax on your ticket to The Uprising.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log in to your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 8/26/26 and 9/27/26, purchase at least one (1) ticket to see ‘The Uprising’ and enter the Fandango promotional code RISEORDIE (“Code”) to get up to $5 off your purchase. Code expires, and can no longer be used, if not redeemed by 9/27/26, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, or when ‘The Uprising' is no longer available in theaters, whichever comes first. Code must be entered at checkout. Limit one (1) Code redemption per person. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. You must have, and be logged into, a Fandango account to redeem the Code on Fandango. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If cost of movie ticket and associated fees and charges is more than Code’s maximum discount, then you must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. Void where prohibited. 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 may have to pay taxes additionally. 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's Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
The story doesn’t have to end when the credits roll. Get two months of Audible free when you buy a ticket to Verity.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log in to your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 9:00am PT on 9/4/26 and 11:59pm PT on 10/23/26 and purchase at least one (1) ticket to see ‘Verity’ at a participating Fandango theater. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Audible Promotional Link (“Link”) that is good for a 2-month Audible free trial with sign-up for a paid Audible subscription. Link expires, and must be redeemed by, 11:59pm PT on 10/24/27. This offer is not available to existing Audible members, those who cancelled their Audible membership less than 6 months ago, or those already participating in an Audible free trial. You will receive a 2-month Audible free trial that allows you to select one (1) audiobook each month from our entire collection as part of the Audible Standard Membership plan. You may listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you maintain an Audible Standard membership. At the end of your free trial, your membership will continue until cancelled at the then current full price (currently, $8.99/mo. + applicable tax) with your designated credit card or another available card on file. Cancel anytime by visiting your Account Details page on Audible. Unused monthly selections do not roll over to the next month. Audible reserves the right to modify or cancel the offer at any time. If you violate any of these terms, the offer will be invalid. Link is one time use only. Limit one Link redemption per Audible account. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Link. 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's terms and policies, at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. Redemption of the Link and the Audible subscription are subject to Audible's conditions of use at https://www.audible.com/legal/conditions-of-use.
Witness the origin of Evil in IMAX! Buy two IMAX tickets to Resident Evil and use code RESIDENTEVILIMAX to redeem your special offer.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log in to your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 6:00am PT on 9/1/26 and 11:59pm PT 10/12/26, purchase two (2) or more IMAX tickets to see Resident Evil at a participating Fandango theater, and enter the Fandango promotional code RESIDENTEVILIMAX ("Code") to receive up to $14 off your purchase. Code expires, and can no longer be used, if not redeemed by 11:59pm PT on 10/12/26, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, or when Resident Evil is no longer available in IMAX theaters, whichever comes first. Code must be entered at checkout. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. You must have, and be logged into, a Fandango account to redeem the Code on Fandango. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If cost of movie tickets and associated fees and charges is more than Code’s maximum discount, then user must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. 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 may have to pay taxes additionally. Limit one (1) Code redemption per person. 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's Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Don't miss out on the action. Get 10% off your purchase on the A24 Shop when you buy a ticket to Onslaught.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 9:00am PT on 8/20/26 and 11:59pm PT on 9/14/26 and purchase at least one (1) ticket to see ‘Onslaught’ at a participating Fandango theater. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) A24 Shop promotional code (“Code”) that is good for 10% off any order at the A24 Shop. Code expires, and must be redeemed by, 11:59pm PT on 2/19/27. Code is one time use only. Limit one Code redemption per person on the A24 Shop. 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's terms and policies, at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies and the Code is subject to A24's terms and policies, at https://shop.a24films.com/policies/terms-of-service.
Buy two tickets to see Heart of the Beast in Dolby Cinema and use code HEARTDOLBY to redeem your special offer
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log in to your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 6:00am PT on 8/31/26 and 11:59pm PT 10/20/26, purchase two (2) or more Dolby tickets to see Heart of the Beast at a participating Fandango theater, and enter the Fandango promotional code HEARTDOLBY ("Code") to receive up to $10 off your purchase. Code expires, and can no longer be used, if not redeemed by 11:59pm PT on 10/20/26, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, or when Heart of the Beast is no longer available in Dolby theaters, whichever comes first. Code must be entered at checkout. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. You must have, and be logged into, a Fandango account to redeem the Code on Fandango. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If cost of movie tickets and associated fees and charges is more than Code’s maximum discount, then user must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. 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 may have to pay taxes additionally. Limit one (1) Code redemption per person. 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's Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Get the Practical Magic 2 Popcorn Bucket Bundle and receive a movie ticket to Practical Magic 2 plus an exclusive Margarita Popcorn Bucket!
*Practical Magic 2 Popcorn Bucket 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. Popcorn not included. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Margarita Popcorn Bucket will begin shipping in September. Please use a physical U.S. address where the Margarita Popcorn Bucket shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://store.fandango.com/products/practical-magic-2-margarita-popcorn-bucket
Buy a ticket to By Any Means, get the Mark Wahlberg 5 Movie Collection for $7.99
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 6am PT on 8/17/26 and 11:59pm PT on 9/20/26, at least one (1) movie ticket to ‘By Any Means’. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Fandango Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of the Mark Wahlberg 5 Movie Collection for $7.99 in My Offers in your account on http://fandangoathome.com and via participating Fandango apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive and redeem 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) 9/23/26 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one (1) 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). 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’s Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
