Box Office Challenge

What movie will be No. 1 at the box office?

Hitting the screens this weekend ...

Horrible Bosses Zookeeper

TSR's complete Film Review Database

This weekend sees the release of two new comedies, Horrible Bosses and Zookeeper. I'm feeling both will underwhelm at the box office, and neither will come close to the week-old veteran Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Calhoun Kersten and I both believe that Transformers: Dark of the Moon will again reign supreme. The only questions remaining here: 1) how much will it make this weekend, and 2) will it dethrone 2011's gross (double entendre) champion The Hangover Part II? With a $45 million take this weekend, Transformers: Dark of the Moon would move into that coveted number one slot. I see that happening, and will be happy to see such. Not sure why, but I don't like The Hangover Part II sitting there all kinglike upon its carbon-copy throne.

Moving on...

The typical Kevin James film does bring in a respectable dollar ($131 million if you consult boxofficemojo) but Zookeeper's trailer looked Lord-awful and the film has been reviewed poorly thus far. Still, I anticipate it will come in at number two.

Reviewed much better (to date) is this weekend's other new comedy release, Horrible Bosses.  Jason Bateman is great, and the actors populating these horrible bosses are all battle-tested in the realm of good comedy (Jennifer Aniston = Office Space, Colin Farrell = In Bruges, Kevin Spacey = Hurlyburly). When he’s on, Seth Gordon is a phenomenal director (see The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters), so this should be at least good. I don't anticipate it'll kill at the box office, but it'll probably do well enough to earn it the bronze.

Each week Calhoun Kersten and Aaron Ruffcorn go head to head in a Box Office Challenge. Who will win? Maybe you. Aaron will be back Monday with the Box Office Review. Tune in to find out who wins.

We’ll take a look at the box office and see if we can’t nail the Number 1 film in the U.S. Whoever is closest, wins. But really, if they aren't within $2 million, it's not very impressive.

It’s harder than you think. If you don’t believe, let’s see what your answers are.

Calhoun Kersten's prediction for the weekend of July 8-10 …

1. Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($50 Million)

Aaron Ruffcorn's prediction for the weekend of July 8-10 …

1. Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($45 Million)

So what are your guess for the Number 1 movie at the box office this weekend?