Los Angeles, California – Paramount Pictures is poised to dominate the summer box office despite recent industry chatter surrounding Sony and Skydance. The studio is set to release “IF,” a family movie directed by John Krasinski and starring Ryan Reynolds, with hopes of reaching a $40 million box office milestone. Following Disney’s impressive performance with “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” which earned $58.4 million in its opening weekend, Paramount aims to make a splash with “IF.”
“IF” is designed to be a universally appealing film, targeting audiences from the age of 2 to 80. With its PG rating, the movie represents a rare addition to the market for live-action original films. Paramount’s ambitious goal of reaching $40 million on a $110 million production budget reflects a bold move within the industry.
The film is set to premiere in over 4,000 theaters, including premium large format screens, showcasing the broad reach of its storytelling. Scripted by Krasinski himself, “IF” follows the journey of a young girl who discovers the ability to see everyone’s imaginary friends. The narrative explores her adventures as she seeks to reunite forgotten imaginary friends with their rightful companions.
Leading up to its premiere, “IF” has already generated momentum with a $4 million collection from its initial release in France and Belgium. The film is scheduled to debut in 56 markets worldwide, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
As the summer season approaches, with schools and colleges on break, there is significant anticipation surrounding the performance of upcoming releases. Among the films set to hit theaters is the sequel to “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” which is projected to earn between $23 million to $26 million in its second weekend, maintaining a presence on 400 IMAX screens.
In addition to the anticipated box office showdown, Lionsgate is gearing up to release the horror reboot “The Strangers – Chapter 1” at 2,800 locations. The film, directed by Renny Harlin, follows a young couple stranded in a remote town, where they encounter masked strangers with menacing intent.
Meanwhile, Focus Features is preparing to unveil “Back to Black,” an Amy Winehouse biopic, which has garnered attention for its performances but is met with mixed reviews. The film’s release in the UK has contributed to its offshore success, with expectations set between $4 million to $6 million in the U.S.
As the cinematic landscape continues to evolve, audiences can expect a diverse array of films vying for attention and box office success. With Paramount’s “IF” leading the charge, the summer season promises to be an exciting time for moviegoers of all ages.