The Weekenders: 'Hunger Games' - Where Is The Ceiling?

     The Hunger Games will be huge. Just huge. Emphasis on huge. But huge can be broad, so how huge? Hunger Games has smashed pre sale record after pre sale record. There have been thousands of sellouts, over 4000, and the movie is still a day away. At one point Hunger Games was selling 10 tickets per second on Fandango. Thats blazing fast. Hunger Games also opens in 4,137 theaters, the most ever for a non sequel.

     If Hunger Games opens to atleast $120 million; it will become Lionsgate's highest grossing movie- ever- in just 3 days. It will also claim the #1 opening ever for March and any movie released outside of the summer or holidays, by $4 million.

     Back in January, early first weekend estimates for The Hunger Games were around $70-$90 million, but now many analysts have bumped up there weekend predictions dramatically to $120-$150 million. The movie only needs to make $139 million this weekend to break into the top 5 openings over- kicking Breaking Dawn Part 1 out. Hunger Games has dramatically been selling out across the country as it seems everyone and their mother is flocking out to the midnight premiere tonight; including me, but not with my mom, with friends. There have even been reports coming in that Lionsgate will be adding 3 am showtimes in some areas to help meet demand.

     Hunger Games on Fandango as of today ranks as the 3rd best advance seller ever, behind New Moon and Deathly Hallows Part 2. So does The Hunger Games have a ceiling for how much it can make this weekend? I'm sure many people that end up going to a sold out theater, will just drive to another. I have friends driving 30 miles away from my city to see the movie, when we already have two theaters here.

     My prediction for the weekend is $132 million; which would place it #7 opener of all time. The advantage Hunger Games has over Twilight, is guys. There will be graphic violence and a mild love story; which helps Hunger Games bring in the male demographic. In the long run, Hunger Games should be victorious over Twilight, plus the current 88% and average score of 7.2 out of 10 on Rotten Tomatoes doesn't hurt either. 

     The Hunger Games is rated PG-13 (more on the high end), and is 2 hours and 22 minutes long. Looks like ill be spending the night at the theater!