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.
Special Offer
Buy 1 SCREENX ticket to Lee Cronin's The Mummy and get 1 ticket free (equal or lesser price, up to $20 total ticket price and fees) with code UNWRAPTICKETS
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Visit Fandango on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 4/13/26 and 5/3/26, buy at least one (1) SCREENX ticket to see Lee Cronin's The Mummy at a participating Fandango theater, and use the Fandango Promotional Code UNWRAPTICKETS ("Code") to get up to $20 off a second SCREENX ticket (equal or lesser price, up to $20 total ticket price and associated fees and charges) in the same transaction for the same showtime. Code expires, and can no longer be used, upon the earlier of 11:59pm PT on 5/3/26, the limit of Code redemptions being reached, or Lee Cronin's The Mummy no longer being available in theaters. 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. If cost of additional movie ticket 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. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. 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. Limit one (1) Code redemption per person. Fandango is not a sponsor or co-sponsor of this offer. 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 at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Get 1 free ticket instantly when you join FanClub with your Michael ticket order.
The ‘Michael – 1 free ticket FanClub Promotion' offer (the “Offer”) begins 4/17/26 and will run for a limited time. Offer valid for new FanClub members only. To be eligible, you must subscribe to a 1-month paid FanClub membership ($9.99 per month + tax) when purchasing tickets to Michael on the Fandango website or mobile app, and the Offer will be automatically applied at checkout. To redeem the Offer, you must complete checkout while an eligible FanClub membership is in your cart and Offer is applied. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law); void where prohibited. Adjustments to prior purchases not permitted. Taxes may apply. Offer may only be redeemed once per person. Fandango reserves the right to withdraw or modify this Offer at any time, in its sole discretion, and without notice. Additional terms and conditions apply, including Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Get the Beskar Bounty Bundle and receive one movie ticket to Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu plus a Limited Edition 28" x 11.5" Concept Art Print!
*The Beskar Bounty 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. The Limited-Edition Concept Art Print will begin shipping in May. Please use a physical U.S. address where the Limited-Edition Concept Art Print 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/the-beskar-bounty-bundle
Buy a ticket to Mortal Kombat II and receive 750 Dragon Krystals to be redeemed for use in the Mortal Kombat 1 game!
Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 9:00am PT on 4/9/26 and 11:59pm PT on 5/24/26 and purchase at least one (1) ticket to see ‘Mortal Kombat II’ at a participating Fandango theater. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Mortal Kombat 1 (“Game”) Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for 750 Dragon Krystals in the Game. Code is only valid for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Code is not valid on Nintendo Switch. Code expires, and must be redeemed by, 11:59pm PT on 12/31/26, or when the Game is no longer available to play, whichever comes first. Code is one time use only. Limit one Code per Fandango account and WB Games account. 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. A WB Games account is required to play Mortal Kombat 1 and redeem a Code. 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 Code is subject to WB Games Terms of Service, at https://legal.wbgames.com/terms-of-service/
Surprise Billie Eilish fans with a gift card to experience HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR LIVE IN 3D
Friends & Family Gift Card is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie tickets are non-refundable. 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. Please use a physical U.S. address where the $100 Fandango Gift Card shipment 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.
Buy a Dolby Cinema Ticket to The Devil Wears Prada 2 and use code RUNWAYREADY 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 3/12/26 and 5/8/26, purchase at least one (1) Dolby Cinema ticket to see The Devil Wears Prada 2, and enter the promotional code RUNWAYREADY (“Code”) to receive $5 off your purchase. Code expires, and can no longer be used, if not redeemed by 5/8/26, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, or when The Devil Wears Prada 2 is no longer available in Dolby Cinema 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 per transaction. 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. 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.
Buy a ticket to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and get a Galactic Passport! See it more than once to collect more Lumas
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 2:00pm PT on 3/9/26 and 11:59pm PT on 5/6/26 and purchase at least one (1) movie ticket to ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ at a participating Fandango theater. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) confirmation code (“Code”) that is good for (i) one (1) Galactic Passport and one (1) Luma Badge for first-time redeemers of a Code, or (ii) one (1) additional Luma Badge per Code for consumers who already have a Galactic Passport (for up to a total of six (6) Luma Badges per Galactic Passport). All Codes must be redeemed at gatewaygalaxy.com by 12/31/26. 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. Codes are one-time use only. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. 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 http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. Microsoft is not a sponsor of this offer.
Join the mission with the Project Hail Mary Eridian Plush Bundle, including a Movie Ticket, an Exclusive Collectible Print, and an Eridian Plush Bag Clip
*Project Hail Mary Eridian Plush 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. The Eridian Plush bag clip and Collectible Print will begin shipping in April. Please use a physical U.S. address where the Eridian Plush bag clip and collectible print 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/project-hail-mary-bundle
Get the Pond Crew Pin Bundle and receive one movie ticket to Hoppers ticket plus one exclusive character pin featuring Mabel, Tom, or King George!
*Pond Crew Pin 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. Official Disney Exclusive Collector Pin will begin shipping in February. Please use a physical U.S. address where the Official Disney Exclusive Collector Pin 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/pondcrewpinbundle
