Can Predator: Badlands Hunt Down a Box Office Comeback?

Last weekend was rough. Not a single movie cracked $10 million, and the winner actually changed hands when the dust settled: early studio estimates crowned Paramount's 'Regretting You', but the actuals bumped 'The Black Phone 2' to the top. Not exactly a banner moment for the box office.

So... is this weekend any better?

Short answer: marginally. 'Predator: Badlands' brings the franchise back to theaters and should take the weekend, but temper expectations. The highest opening ever for anything with a Yautja in it is still 2004's 'Alien vs. Predator'. The last two solo outings, 'Predators' and 'The Predator', both debuted around $24 million and then faded fast. The new one has strong early reviews, which helps, but the market is soft. Current projections put it in the $25–27 million range — i.e., lucky to match or barely top those previous launches, not blow past them.

Everyone else is playing for scraps

Past the Predator, it's a quiet frame. 'Christy' looks like the runner-up, mostly riding Sydney Sweeney curiosity, and could land around $5 million. 'Regretting You' and 'The Black Phone 2' are in a close fight right behind it — call that third-place race a photo finish in the $4 million pocket. Everything else is small potatoes: 'Nuremberg' and 'Die My Love' (the Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson one) are both expected to open modestly, with none of the other newcomers likely to clear $3 million.

Holiday hopes, but not quite yet

Studios are bracing for a so-so holiday corridor unless a miracle shows up, though there is real optimism on deck: 'Wicked: For Good', 'Zootopia 2', and 'Avatar: Fire & Ash' all look like solid, possibly massive, crowd-pleasers. Just... not this weekend.

• Predator: Badlands: $25 million
• Christy: $5 million
• Regretting You: $4.5 million
• The Black Phone 2: $4 million
• Die My Love: $3 million

What are you seeing this weekend? If you're diving back into the jungle, tell me if the hunt was worth it.