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Paul Thomas Anderson<\/strong> is no stranger to Oscar buzz, but he\u2019s never had a box-office breakout quite like the one expected this weekend. His latest epic, One Battle After Another<\/em>, starring Leonardo DiCaprio<\/strong>, is projected to top the Sept. 26\u201328 frame with a domestic debut between $20 million and $25 million, plus another $25 million overseas for a potential $50 million worldwide launch. Even a softer start in the high teens would still mark Anderson\u2019s biggest opening, easily surpassing 2007\u2019s There Will Be Blood<\/em>, which ultimately grossed $40.2 million domestically and $76.4 million worldwide.<\/p>\n At a reported $140\u2013$150 million budget, One Battle After Another<\/em> is the most ambitious project of Anderson\u2019s career. Warner Bros. has positioned it as an event film \u2014 shot in 70mm VistaVision and marketed aggressively with trailers across NFL broadcasts, CinemaCon, and tentpole releases like Superman<\/em>. The studio is fresh off an unprecedented winning streak (A Minecraft Movie<\/em>, Sinners<\/em>, Final Destination: Bloodlines<\/em>, F1: The Movie<\/em>, Superman<\/em>, Weapons<\/em>, and The Conjuring: Last Rites<\/em>) and is now aiming to cap off the year with a serious Best Picture contender.<\/p>\n More from Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Positive reviews<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s sitting at 98 percent on Rotten Tomatoes \u2014 should only help the film\u2019s momentum. Loosely inspired by Thomas Pynchon<\/strong>\u2019s Vineland<\/em>, the story follows DiCaprio\u2019s Bob Ferguson, a former revolutionary living off the grid with his daughter (newcomer Chase Infiniti<\/strong>) until an old enemy (Sean Penn<\/strong>) resurfaces. But the film\u2019s overtly political tone, including a provocative opening sequence at an ICE holding facility, may stir controversy in red states.<\/p>\n Rounding out the top five, Universal\u2019s family-friendly Gabby\u2019s Dollhouse<\/em> is expected to draw up to $17 million, while Lionsgate\u2019s horror sequel The Strangers: Chapter 2<\/em> should scare up $7-9 million. Anime holdover Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle<\/em> is projected to land in the $7 million range, with Warner Bros.\u2019 The Conjuring: Last Rites<\/em> close behind at $6 million.<\/p>\n One Battle After Another<\/em><\/em><\/strong> Gabby’s Dollhouse<\/em>: The Movie<\/em><\/strong> The Strangers: Chapter 2<\/em><\/em><\/strong> Here are Gold Derby’s predicted box-office rankings<\/a> for the top five over the Sept. 26-28 weekend:<\/p>\n 1. One Battle After Another<\/em> Do you agree or disagree with those rankings?\u00a0Make your predictions right now<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 it’s fun and easy!<\/strong><\/p>\n Best of Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Sign up for Gold Derby’s Newsletter<\/a>. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\nNew releases:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Director:<\/strong> Paul Thomas Anderson<\/strong>
Distributor:<\/strong> Warner Bros.
When their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue one of their own’s daughter. The action thriller has a running time of two hours, 41 minutes, and is rated R. One Battle After Another<\/em>\u00a0is certified “fresh”<\/a> with a 98 percent score per the aggregated critic reviews at Rotten Tomatoes; “universal acclaim” reviews compiled by Metacritic<\/a> resulted in an overall score of 96 percent.<\/p>\n
Director:<\/strong> Ryan Crego<\/strong>
Distributor:<\/strong> Universal
Gabby and Grandma Gigi’s road trip takes an unexpected turn when Gabby’s prized dollhouse ends up with eccentric cat lady Vera. Gabby embarks on an adventure to reunite the Gabby Cats and retrieve her beloved dollhouse before it’s too late. The family adventure has a running time of one hour, 38 minutes, and is rated G. Gabby’s Dollhouse<\/em>\u00a0is certified “fresh”<\/a> with an 80 percent score per the aggregated critic reviews at Rotten Tomatoes.<\/p>\n
Director:<\/strong> Renny Harlin<\/strong>
Distributor:<\/strong> Lionsgate
On the final day of their cross country road trip, a couple’s vehicle breaks down, forcing them to take refuge in a remote Airbnb. As night falls, three masked strangers terrorize them until dawn. The horror sequel has a running time of one hour, 36 minutes, and is rated R. The Strangers: Chapter 2<\/em>\u00a0is certified “rotten”<\/a> with a 14 percent score per the aggregated critic reviews at Rotten Tomatoes; “generally unfavorable” reviews compiled by Metacritic<\/a> resulted in an overall score of 33 percent.<\/p>\n
2. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie
<\/em>3. The Strangers: Chapter 2<\/em>
<\/em>4. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle<\/em><\/em><\/em>
5. The Conjuring: Last Rites<\/em><\/p>\n