BOX OFFICE FORECAST

This weekend at the movies, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is projected to earn as much as $35 million from 4300 screens.

The supernatural sequel Afterlife contains comedy DNA from the 1984 original Ghostbusters, including cast members Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver,though the real stars in this edition are “Sexiest Man Alive” Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard from Stranger Things, Carrie Coon and Mckenna Grace.

Oscar buzz surrounds Will Smith in the title role as Venus and Serena Williams’s tennis coach and father in King Richard. This feel-good sports drama might make $10 million in its opening weekend at 3200 theaters. Warner Bros. will simultaneously stream King Richard at HBO Max. This bio-pic will finish second or third depending upon how Eternals fares in its third weekend.

Oscar Buzz continues next week with the arrival of House of Gucci starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino and Salma Hayek. (Box Office Mojo)